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Expected Availability of Nuclear Plants Improve Outlook
Electric Grid Operator Announces Summer Demand Forecast-New Power
Plants and Expected Availability of Nuclear Plants Improve Outlook
HOLYOKE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2000--Officials at ISO New
England, the operator of the region's electric grid, today announced
they are projecting sufficient electricity supplies for the summer
peak demand season, such that the continuity of electric service can
be assured.
According to James B. Sinclair, Director of Public Affairs for the
company, "Although ISO New England is forecasting record setting
demand this summer, several new power plants are expected to be on
line in time for the summer peak season. The addition of this new
capacity, along with a favorable outlook for the availability of the
region's nuclear plants, results in an overall improvement in the
level of electricity supplies as compared to the past few summers."
Officials at the ISO said that they expect the peak demand to
approach 23,250 megawatts (MW) on at least one occasion this summer.
The existing record of 22,544 MW was set on July 6, 1999. Peak demand
typically occurs during weekday afternoons in the midst of a heat
wave when air conditioning usage is at its highest. If the weather
this summer is abnormally hot and humid, as was the case last summer,
higher demand levels could be experienced.
Sinclair also pointed out that in order to plan for meeting this
summer's electrical demand, ISO New England must consider all
possibilities that could impact the supply. "The grid is designed
with a built-in 'operating reserve' to ensure that adequate resources
are available to cover routine power plant and transmission line
maintenance and unexpected power plant or transmission outages.
However, our normal planning criteria anticipates that there could be
between 20 and 30 days annually when the operating reserve is less
than we desire," Sinclair said.
"When this type of situation arises, our operators immediately take
steps to line up additional supplies and reduce electricity demand to
maximize our operating reserves and protect the reliability of the
grid," Sinclair continued. "Depending on the circumstances, it will
be necessary to ask New Englanders to conserve on their use of
electricity until the power situation eases."
Sinclair says there are plans in place to communicate with the public
concerning power conservation when it becomes necessary. This
includes the issuance of power conservation advisories to the media.
The ISO also communicates on a regular basis with power generators,
brokers, electric distribution companies, regulators, and state and
federal government officials to ensure for the stability of the
regional power supply.
ISO New England is the operator of the bulk electric generation and
transmission systems, or the power grid, for the region. New
England's power grid is made up of more than 330 generators
interconnected by 8,000 miles of high voltage transmission lines,
which serve more than 6.3 million New England customers. ISO New
England is the not-for-profit corporation that, in addition to
managing the bulk power grid, also administers the wholesale power
exchange and the NEPOOL Open Access Transmission Tariff. ISO New
England is based in Holyoke, Massachusetts
Editor's Note: The New England region, as well as the entire
Northeast, is experiencing record heat and humidity today. Because of
the number of power plants out of service for annual maintenance
(preparing for the June through August peak electricity demand
season), the electricity supply situation is expected to be tight
throughout the rest of today. This is precisely the situation
described in the press release where we may need to call upon the
public to conserve electricity until the power situation eases.
Public Notification System in Place
When it becomes necessary to ask customers to conserve electricity,
ISO New England will issue public advisories through the news media.
There are two levels of public appeals, Power Watch and Power
Warning. The system is modeled after the advisory system used by the
National Weather Service.
A Power Watch is a request to all customers to voluntarily reduce
electricity usage and is issued when the region's electricity
supplies are expected to be tight.
A Power Warning is a more urgent appeal and will be issued when
electricity supplies are, or are expected to be, extremely tight and
there is a concern that electric companies may have to disconnect
certain customers as a means of reducing demand on the grid.
For either a Power Watch or Power Warning, customers will be asked to
minimize the use of air conditioners (turn up the thermostat or use a
fan), turn off unnecessary appliances, and defer tasks such as doing
the laundry until the evening hours. However, customers should never
take any conservation measure that could jeopardize their personal
health or safety.
The public appeals have proven to be very effective in reducing
electricity demand during periods of tight supply and minimizing the
likelihood of any type of service disruption to customers. Public
participation in these energy saving measures is essential in
safeguarding the region's electric grid.
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Sandy Perle Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100
Director, Technical Extension 2306
ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Division Fax:(714) 668-3149
ICN Biomedicals, Inc. E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net
ICN Plaza, 3300 Hyland Avenue E-Mail: sperle@icnpharm.com
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Personal Website: http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/1205
ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Website: http://www.dosimetry.com
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