Ontarians sweltering in a prolonged heat wave face brownouts and rotating blackouts if they do not cut power consumption over the next five days, the province's electricity supply manager warned yesterday."We're in a situation that isn't going to go away immediately -- it's going to be around as long as this heat wave lasts," said Terry Young, spokesman for the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).
"What you are seeing is a continued strain on the power system."
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The province has been setting new records for electricity demand in a summer that has already prompted Toronto's medical officer of health to declare heat alerts on 22 days. Yesterday was the eighth consecutive day of the latest extreme heat alert, which is declared when a prolonged period of high temperatures means the likelihood of a weather-related death exceeds 90%.Electricity demand peaked at 25,857 megawatts yesterday at 4 p.m. Demand for power reached a new record last Wednesday, when it rose to 26,170 megawatts, up from the previous record of 26,157 on June 27. Prior to this year, the record high for electricity demand was set on Aug. 13, 2002, when it peaked at 25,414.
Stock up on candles and flashlight batteries.
The article says we can look forward to more comfortable temperatures later in the summer.
Works for me.
Update:
Did you notice how I avoided the temptation to say something snarky about climate change?
I noticed that! Right up until you did.
I'm being very good. I've turned off all the lights. Blinds are all closed. I've raised the temp on the AC, which I wouldn't have at all except for the kitties, I swear.
I'll refrain from saying anything snarky about how one exceptionally warm summer has jack-all to do with climate change.
I love how in situations like these the little guy is always the one who has to suffer and sacrifice. All the big businesses here (and even some of the small ones) are advertising "Cooling Station!" and "Air Conditioned!" as a way to draw people in. They aren't cutting back one bit, infact, If i had to guess Id say they are increasing their fans and ACs.
100 bucks says Paul Martin's home is fully air-conditioned 24/7. Any takers?
I also think in situations like these, the seniors should NOT be the ones that have to cut back at all, as they need the air conditioning more than we do and are more likely to suffer a heat stroke. It should be young and healthy people like us, along with Paul Martin and crew, making the sacrifices. But it never is.
Someone should really look into this: find out if Stephen Harper's home is running ACs. Then post about it.
I turn off the air during the day and turn it back on at night, turn on fewer lights (none are on now), use blinds, close off rooms that do not have AC vents, and refrain from using large appliances during the day. Oh, yes, and I thank the trees that are shading the house (must remember to be thankful even when the leaves fall). Still, I need to cut down further.
Too many Ontarians (individuals and businesses) seem to be conserving not at all, if our consumption level is so high. We cannnot say that we have not been warned, if we start to have brown- or blackouts.
Already have candles, lanterns, solar/crank radio, crank flashlight. Time to invest in solar-powered chargers!!
The news down here last night said that we are in a climate cycle of hotter summers, colder winters and more hurricanes. Get used to it, Ontarians.
One of the local supermarkets here in Ottawa has turned off all the lights in the freezers and coolers over the last 2 weeks.
That would be unlike my local supermarket which has their A/C running so strong that when I leave the store, my glasses fog up.