AESO asks residents to conserve energy as heat wave prompts energy usage spike
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With the record-breaking temperatures being set in Western Canada, residents are turning to their air conditioners as they seek relief.
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) says that on Monday energy usage spiked at 11,512 MW, beating the province’s previous summer peak demand record of 11,169 MW. They are asking Albertans to play their part and conserve energy.
They say that energy usage peaks between 4:00 and 7:00 PM, with the weather compounding already higher demand. On Tuesday temperatures were around 33C that felt like 36C during the peak time period.
Varcoe: Heat is on Enmax to both meet power demand and curb emissions
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Chris Varcoe: Heat is on Enmax to meet power demand today, curb emissions in the future
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Forecasters are expecting a high of 39 C on Wednesday, which would break the city’s previous heat record, set in 1937, of 37.2 C.
With a heat warning in effect in Edmonton, Environment Canada says the “prolonged, dangerous and historic heat wave” will persist through the week and is expected to continue in some regions next week.
Late Monday, it also issued a special air quality statement for the region, saying pollutants at the surface are building up over time because of stagnant weather conditions.
The agency said children, seniors, and people with heart or lung disease, like asthma or COPD – and active people exercising or working outdoors – may be harder hit by the pollution. The air quality was expected to worsen into the evening and improve overnight.
Posted: Jun 28, 2021 3:06 PM MT | Last Updated: June 28
Alberta has broken its record for electricity demand as a heat wave settles in over Western Canada. (CBC) comments
The historic heat wave that has settled over Western Canada has pushed Alberta past a record high demand for electricity.
A spokesperson for the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) said earlier in the day the summer record of 10,822 megawatts, set in 2019, was expected to be broken today.
And shortly before 5 p.m. MT, the AESO s website showed the load as 11,500 megawatts, though the provincial power grid operator could not officially confirm the record had been surpassed.