With extreme heat affecting New York and temperatures expected to remain high through the end of the week, consumer demand on the state's electric system is rising as homes and businesses rely more heavily on air conditioning. That's according to the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), which says high temperatures, elevated humidity, and sustained air conditioning load can place added pressure on generation and transmission resources across the state.
As of Wednesday, the forecasted baseline peak demand during the heat wave is as follows:
- Wednesday, July 1st: 29,970 megawatts
- Thursday, July 2nd: 32,410 megawatts
- Friday, July 3rd: 30,680 megawatts
- Saturday, July 4th: 28,250 megawatts
In advance of Thursday's high temperatures and forecasted demand, NYISO suggests conserving power, if safe to do so, by raising air-conditioning thermostats and postponing unnecessary use of major appliances until demand on the electric system eases. NYISO may issue grid alerts if energy reserve margins drop below specified levels. These alerts are designed to raise awareness about grid conditions and inform the public if electricity conservation is necessary.
