RI Sets Record for Electricity Usage - Cold Takes Its Toll

RI Sets Record for Electricity Usage - Cold Takes Its Toll

New data provided to GoLocal from Rhode Island Energy shows that the state has set an all-time record for electricity usage during this period of snow and temperatures around zero.

“Additional data scrubbing, we have concluded that we did set a new electric system peak of 1403 MW on January 26. That was nearly 100 MW above the prior record from 2013,” Rhode Island Energy President Greg Cornett told GoLocal.

Rhode Island for weeks has been trapped in a wave of brutal cold temperatures, often hitting below zero overnight.

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The numbers from Rhode Island Energy are mirrored across New England.

ISO New England reports, “Amid a complex array of challenges, the New England power grid has performed well during the cold weather. Following ISO New England forecasts that showed tightening grid conditions, generators have taken steps to bolster their fuel supplies, and the ISO is projecting improvements in the coming weeks. These projections are contingent on expected fuel replenishment materializing.”

ISO New England is a non-profit that coordinates energy across New England.

“Over the past two weeks, New England’s power system experienced its most challenging operating conditions since the winter of 2017/2018. Prolonged cold temperatures drove consumer demand for electricity sharply upward, both at peak moments and in overall usage, placing sustained pressure on the power system,” according to ISO.

 

RI and New England Gas Usage

Cornett said gas usage has been near a record high but has not topped previous records.

ISO reports, “The region’s natural gas system is contracted primarily to serve home and business heating needs first. Demand on the gas system has been elevated during this cold period. High demand, coupled with limited capacity to transport gas into New England, prompted high prices. As a result, many generators have turned to oil as a more economical alternative. Winter Storm Fern affected fuel delivery logistics for both natural gas and oil up and down the East Coast, creating bottlenecks as generators across the Northeast competed for fuel.”

 

Canada and Solar Inconsistent Production

“In addition, cold temperatures extended across the Northeast, Midwest, and eastern Canada, limiting our ability to rely on consistent imports of electricity to the region,” ISO adds.

“The storm also significantly reduced behind-the-meter solar production. The solar panels on homes and businesses usually mitigate overall system demand during the middle of the day. While output has begun to recover, the return has been slowed by cold temperatures impeding snowmelt on panels,” states ISO.