Electricity levels are at an all-time high, and the levels are getting higher and higher every year. Energy Information Administration estimates the electricity levels will go up 30% by 2030. You probably don’t realize just how much electricity you use on a day to day basis- I know I don’t. However, after doing a little research on demand response, I began to think about it.
Every time you flip on a light switch, turn out the television, or put something in the microwave you get instant results. You don’t flip a switch and wait for the light to turn on, it just happens immediately. Electricity is generated at a power plant and transmitted to local substations where transformers turn it into a usable voltage.
Electricity demand levels are at its peak in the evening and afternoon. This makes sense, because a lot of people are away at work during the day, and there is also natural sunlight so the need for lights to be on is lower. High electricity demands can result in equipment malfunctions at power plants.
One way to conserve electricity during peak hours in through a concept called demand response. Basically, what this does is allow people to voluntarily cut their electricity levels during certain times of the day (such as peak hours). Through demand response, we are saving money because we won’t have to replace machinery, and it’s also environmentally friendly.
To get a better idea of this concept, check out this video:
http://www.ecsgrid.com/demand-response-programs
References:
www.ecsgrid.com ; Wikipedia.com/demandresponse ; science.howstuffworks.com/demandresponse