AESO ready for peak demand with record breaking heat

It’s going to get hot in several parts of the province this week, but Alberta’s Electric System Operator (AESO) says it’ll be ready for peak demand.

“We do expect to see increased demand on the system, we are seeing those increases already, today we are looking at maybe 11,000 MW of demand, that’s slightly below our all-time summer record which we hit a few weeks ago,” said spokesperson Mike Deising. “Right now the system is in good shape.”

According to Deising, the power consumption will typically track up with each day and if that pattern holds true, we should be hitting peak numbers by Friday.

“Right now we do have adequate supply to meet demand, that is very important to us because that is reliability and that’s what Albertans count on 24/7,” he said.

There are agreements for power-sharing between British Columbia, Montana and Saskatchewan and AESO has already been importing electricity from B.C.

“What we do ask is if people can not run their appliances between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. if possible, that’s great. like I say, that’s all voluntary, if it works, if it fits with people, do so. The one thing we always say, there are lots of people, especially in this type of heat, seniors for example who need that air conditioning, use it. we want people to be safe,” he said.

Historically Alberta has always been a winter-peaking jurisdiction with a difference of about 500 to 600 MW.

Earlier this summer, Albertans broke an all-time summer record in demand.

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