TERRE HAUTE —
Low water levels locally are raising concerns about electricity generation, but officials say ample supply exists to meet surging demand.
Jennifer Lay, spokeswoman for the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, said Friday afternoon that drought conditions have impacted some power plants’ capacity, but other sources of energy are available throughout the grid.
“As the manager of the electric transmission grid in 11 Midwest states as well as the Province of Manitoba, MISO monitors this issue as it relates to power generation and works with its members in order to maintain reliability of outages that are caused by low water levels,” she stated in a release. “Two of MISO members have felt the effects of the drought; one plant was shut down after the water level dropped below its intake pipes and another plant is partially curtailed as a result of water temperatures.”
Angeline Protogere, communications manager for Duke Energy in Indiana, declined to comment directly about the company’s operations near the Wabash River.
“Our coal-fired power plants do depend on water to operate, although the vast majority of water withdrawn from rivers for cooling purposes is returned to the water body. We typically don’t share information, however, on how water levels are affecting specific generating units because we’re active in the power markets, and information on whether plants are operating at full capacity or not can affect market pricing and the costs customers pay,” she stated in a release.
“We have been able to meet customer demand during this heat wave. When needed, we rely on stations that are less affected by dry conditions. We also have a number of other tools to ensure reliable service, such as voluntary, customer energy-efficiency programs that reduce demand or purchasing power if necessary.”
Friday afternoon, the Wabash River at Terre Haute was reported to be at 0.39 of a foot in depth.
Protogere said the company has been fielding questions about its ability to generate electricity given those conditions, but a number of options are available and there has been no need to call for conservation. Most of this area’s power plants are fueled by coal, but gas and hydro are also used, she said. The company also purchases energy generated from wind turbines in northern Indiana, she added.
“We have not made calls for conservation and we have been able to meet the demand for power. However, energy efficiency is always a good idea,” she said.
Electricity consumption typically increases during summer with the usage of home air conditioning, she said.
And with a record number of record-breaking temperatures, this summer has been busier yet. On average, Duke Energy customers in this area used 16 percent more electricity between this June and July than the same time period last year. Nearly half a home’s energy consumption goes to heating and cooling it, she added. And while the price per energy unit remains the same, increased usage can certainly drive up the customer’s cost.
“It’s definitely the largest part of their bill,” she said of the heating and cooling process. “What drives the bills is the volume of the electricity that may be used.”
While the company is not issuing specific conservation requests, information about saving energy is available on its website.
A thermostat calculator is provided at www.duke-energy.com/indiana/savings/calculate-your-savings.asp where customers can plug in information about their home and determine how much can be saved by adjusting the thermostat.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
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Low water: Record low water levels and flow on the Wabash River are causing concerns for Duke Energy at the Wabash River generating station. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis)
Discussion
Low on water, but not on power
Electric companies calling on other sources during drought
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