[Press Release] : Electric system remains stable during hot weather

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2006

CONTACT: Connie Kacprowicz
Communications Specialist
or
Dan Dasho
Director of Columbia Water and Light
Office - (573) 874-7325

Electric system remains stable during hot
weather					

	(COLUMBIA, MO) - Days of high temperatures can put stress on an
electric system by driving up demand and straining the distribution
system. Columbia Water and Light has been keeping electric loads in
check with voluntary conservation programs.  	
	The Load Management program rotates the demand of air
conditioner compressors for residential and small commercial customers.
The Load Shedding program is for industrial class customers who sign up
to cut their electric consumption from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the hottest
days of the year. It is estimated that these two programs shave over12
megawatts from the system’s electric load and save the utility over a
million dollars in power costs. There are incentives for those customers
who participate in the programs
	For those interested in monitoring Columbia’s electric load,
the information is available at www.GoColumbiaMo.com. Over the last four
days of temperatures over 100 degrees, the Columbia system did not
exceed the forecast of 265 Megawatts (MW).  The Columbia load for July
29 was 243 MW, July 30 was 240 MW, July 31 was 261 MW and Aug. 1 was 258
MW. Load shedding and the load management switches were both used on
July 31 and Aug.1 to help control the peak electric load. Both programs
will be implemented again Aug. 2.
	High electric consumption combined with high temperatures is
stressful on Columbia’s power delivery system. High electric demand
can cause damage to every part of the distribution system, from the
transformers to the lines themselves. Columbia Water and Light line
crews are continually on the lookout for potential problems while
working on the system each day. The utility also has an infrared camera
to detect hotspots so preventive maintenance can occur. Another part of
the distribution system maintenance plan is to have regularly scheduled
tree trimming. With high temperatures, overhead power lines can sag. If
these lines contact tree limbs, interruptions to the power supply can
occur.  
	Columbia Water and Light also asks that every Columbian watch
electric consumption during the late afternoon and early evening during
hot weather. Extra power bought on the wholesale electric market during
peak periods is very expensive. When the utility has to purchase
additional electricity at a high rate to meet the demand, rates for
customers could be affected. Normally, electricity bought on the open
market costs the utility around $75 a megawatt hour. Prices during peak
use conditions over the last several days have been running around $300
per megawatt hour. 

	There are a few simple things Columbians can do to keep rates
low.
Postpone from 2 p.m. until after 8 p.m.:
*	Doing laundry
*	Using automatic dishwashers and dehumidifiers
*	Taking showers (for those with electric water heaters)
Other conservation ideas:
*	Set thermostats up one or two degrees.
*	Avoid heating the kitchen - grill outdoors or prepare a cool
meal.
*	Check and change the air conditioning/furnace filter.
*	Leave window shades that receive direct sunlight down during the
day.


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