Power supplies OK following week of high heat

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Jul 12, 2002 by Fitting, Beth

In spite of a week of record-setting high temperatures, up to and including July 4, the state's electric power supplies were able to keep up with demand.

But that may have been more a matter of timing than supplies. Kenneth Klapp, spokesperson for the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), the nonprofit corporation that controls the transmission and delivery of electric power in the state, says that the peak load during the holiday week was 30,500 megawatts (MW). "The record last year was 30,983 MW," says Klapp. "The big difference was that on Wednesday, the day before the holiday, although conditions were right" to challenge the state's power supplies, "the load tapered off in the afternoon, as people left for vacation." According to an issued statement, NYISO says that the state has a total of 35,960 MW available, including the 18-percent reserve requirement.

Kerry Burns, spokesperson for Niagara Mohawk, a National Grid company, says that the transmission and delivery company had "no problems with supplies," as it had predicted earlier in the season. "We're prepared to curtail supplies," she says, if the necessity arises.

Although the main area of concern is downstate New York, especially New York City and Long Island, Klapp says that the state's load and peak reserves should be sufficient. Air conditioners can keep running, he says, but adds, "when we need them. We're still encouraging the wise use of energy, especially in the mid- to late afternoon hours in the summertime."

Klapp says that "we need three to four hot, humid days" to challenge the load.

Although the week following the July 4 holiday began with warm, humid weather, cooler weather is predicted.