CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Even with customers conserving electricity, Duke Energy Progress saw a new all-time record for winter power use on Thursday, Jan. 8.
In the hour ending at 8 a.m., a new winter usage peak of 14,473 megawatt-hours was set. That exceeded the previous winter record of 14,190 megawatt-hours set during the Polar Vortex on Jan. 7, 2014.
During the extreme weather event, which saw temperatures dip into the single digits (including a record-tying 8 degrees in Charlotte), the company implemented several initiatives to ensure customers' energy needs were met. These included:
- Operation of all available generation units, including nuclear, fossil, hydro, and combustion turbine and gas units that are only run during times of peak demand.
- Activation of demand-side management programs for residential and business customers.
- Activation of the company's Distribution System Demand Response program, which uses Smart Grid technology to reduce voltage on the system by a very small amount, lessening the demand on the grid.
- Conservation efforts from business and residential customers; especially between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
"While warmer temperatures in some areas lessened overall energy demand this morning, our system performed well during this event. In addition, our customers' efforts to reduce their energy usage and make minor changes to their daily routine certainly helped," said Nelson Peeler, vice president, transmission system operations.
"Our system operators are highly skilled and were well prepared to respond to any issues related to the extremely cold temperatures," he added.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at www.duke-energy.com.