Q: What is a voltage reduction?
A voltage reduction reduces power demand system wide. The percent of the voltage reduction determines the size of the reduction. For example, a 5% voltage reduction results in a 2% reduction in power demand.
Q: Why do utilities do this?
During
peak load periods when electric energy may be in short supply, a voltage
reduction reduces customer demand and allows a utility to stretch out its
supply. This is one of a series of steps
that allows utilities to maintain uninterrupted service to customers.
Q: Am I going to see voltage reductions this summer?
It
is possible that there will be voltage reductions this summer. Hot weather, combined with limited
availability of generating capacity, could mean utilities need to take these
measures to meet demand for power and to continue to provide uninterrupted
service to customers.
Q: Will there be any advanced notification of voltage reductions?
When
feasible, utilities will alert customers through broadcast media when a
potential for voltage reductions exists.
In extreme circumstances, however, there may not be time for notice.
Q: What effect will this have on my service?
Generally,
a voltage reduction will not have an appreciable effect on your service. Standard household appliances and electrical
equipment are manufactured to tolerate a 10% plus/minus change in voltage. A 5% voltage reduction is within that
tolerance. In fact, utilities sometimes
perform voltage reduction tests with little notice to customers.
Customers
with concerns about their electric service or about sensitive electronic
equipment should check equipment manuals or their equipment suppliers about
potential precautionary measures to protect equipment or data. Computer users should save files and data
frequently.
Q: What if I depend on electricity for life-support systems or other
health-related equipment?
People
who use electrically powered life support systems should always have a backup.
Q: How long will the voltage reduction last?
The
reduction will last until the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) or
the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) can achieve a balance between capacity
and demand. If voltage reductions are
necessary, they will typically be during the period of 12:00 p.m. to 8 p.m., or
shorter.
Q: Why do utilities ask customers to avoid using power?
The appeal is made to reduce customer demand, to balance generating capacity and demand on Long Island and to help maintain uninterrupted power for customers.
Heavy
electricity use, hot weather, limited available generating capacity, and
limited transmission capacity have prompted utilities to issue appeal to
customers.
Q: How much difference can turning off lights and appliances really
make?
A
BIG difference – probably several hundred megawatts statewide. (A megawatt is one million watts and serves
roughly 300 single homes.)
Q: How many times will you have to do this?
Public
appeals are one of several steps utilities take in times of excess demand to
safeguard the electric system. During
periods of hot weather and when available generating capacity is limited,
appeals may be issued whenever heavy electricity use reduces power reserves to
unacceptably low level. Often an appeal
is all that is needed to reduce demand.
Q: What will happen if not enough people pay attention to the appeal to reduce consumption?
Utilities
would be forced to reduce voltage, or possibly black out customers in certain
areas. Depending on where and what the
problem is would determine the extent of the blackouts and who would be blacked
out. California is experiencing rolling blackouts due to the lack of available
capacity and energy. The electric is
turned off to specific areas for a designated time each day, then the lights
are turned back on and another area is blacked out.
Temporary interruption of electrical service. NYISO will implement rolling blackout only if and when New York’s electrical system is unable to meet heavy peak demands because of an extreme deficiency in power supply. By temporarily disconnecting electrical circuits on a rotating basis, a majority of customers have power, inconvenience is minimized and a more serious widespread problem is averted. Each rotation is of a specific duration, usually no longer than a few hours, but it could take longer in some locations due to the manual nature of the operation.
A purposeful, immediate response in electric service by the NYISO to a block of customers because demand for electricity has outstripped supply. Load shedding has never occurred in New York.
If, after the other steps to manage capacity have been taken, the demand for electricity continues to exceed generating capacity, the electric utility can reduce voltage by five percent. This reduction essentially stretches out the available supply of electricity to all customers. It is rarely noticed by customers but may affect sensitive electronic equipment.