Peak Power Developing a Second Hump Because of Computers

Because of big screen TVs and home computers, utilities are seeing another peak power problem evolve. Traditional peak power hours–the time during the day when power demand shoots up–run from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., according to Andrew Tang, senior director, smart energy web, at Pacific Gas & Electric. But utilities are now seeing a second surge after the 7:00 p.m. drop in demand; it runs from about 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., he said. That’s when people head toward the electronic entertainment devices.

Read the rest of this post