ELIMINATE PEAKS AND MODERNIZE THE GRID ("Smart Grid")
Power plants produce electricity on an "as needed" basis to meet demand. When demand rises, such as on hot summer afternoons when millions of air conditioners run at full blast, additional "peaker plants" are turned on. These plants only run a few hours a year and are often very inefficient. If electricity use can be shifted from high-demand to low-demand times, many of these plants can be eliminated -- saving precious fuel and lowering electricity costs.
About six percent of all electricity produced is simply lost during transmission between the power plant and your home. One way to eliminate this waste is to modernize the electrical transmission system, much of which is old and inefficient. Another approach is to produce electricity near where it's consumed (see "distributed generation").
The various technologies and activities that support all of the above are part of the "smart grid". Here is a simple 3 minute video explanation. Much of the "smart grid" is still being developed. See below for a few things Chicago residents can do now.
About six percent of all electricity produced is simply lost during transmission between the power plant and your home. One way to eliminate this waste is to modernize the electrical transmission system, much of which is old and inefficient. Another approach is to produce electricity near where it's consumed (see "distributed generation").
The various technologies and activities that support all of the above are part of the "smart grid". Here is a simple 3 minute video explanation. Much of the "smart grid" is still being developed. See below for a few things Chicago residents can do now.
shift electricity usage to non-peak times ("Demand response")
The ComEd Smart Ideas Central Air Conditioning Cycling program allows homeowners to reduce electricity use during peak summer hours and earn a credit up to $40 on their bill. A free device is installed on central air conditioners that turns off the unit for short periods of time during peak demand periods. Participants in the program have said they notice no difference in comfort.
Smart Meters are being installed in all households in the ComEd territory in Northern Illinois between now and 2018. These devices allow instant two-way digital communication between ComEd, your home's electrical system, "smart" home electrical devices, and computers/smart phones.
Smart Meters have many valuable applications. Consumers can closely monitor their electricity use. They can instruct "smart appliances" to run when electricity is cheapest. Those with home solar panels could make money by selling electricity they produce to the grid at peak prices. Unfortunately, many of these products and services are yet to be developed or made commercially available in Chicago.
Smart Meters have many valuable applications. Consumers can closely monitor their electricity use. They can instruct "smart appliances" to run when electricity is cheapest. Those with home solar panels could make money by selling electricity they produce to the grid at peak prices. Unfortunately, many of these products and services are yet to be developed or made commercially available in Chicago.
Electricity prices fluctuate constantly throughout the day, depending on supply and demand. But most residents pay a constant fixed rate. A couple companies, however, now offer residential variable "time of use" rates in Chicago.
ComEd's Residential Real Time Pricing bills residents the actual cost of electricity at the time they use it. It thus rewards residents who shift their electricity use to cheaper, low-demand times of day -- e.g., late at night. To participate, Chicago residents must "opt out" of municipal aggregation (Integrys) and choose ComEd as their electricity supplier, as well as have a special digital meter installed. The program isn't right for everyone though.
As more Chicagoans get smart meters, additional electricity suppliers will likely offer variable pricing options. MC Squared's Smart Value Power Program is the first to offer "peak" and "off peak" electricity rates for residents with smart meters.
ComEd's Residential Real Time Pricing bills residents the actual cost of electricity at the time they use it. It thus rewards residents who shift their electricity use to cheaper, low-demand times of day -- e.g., late at night. To participate, Chicago residents must "opt out" of municipal aggregation (Integrys) and choose ComEd as their electricity supplier, as well as have a special digital meter installed. The program isn't right for everyone though.
As more Chicagoans get smart meters, additional electricity suppliers will likely offer variable pricing options. MC Squared's Smart Value Power Program is the first to offer "peak" and "off peak" electricity rates for residents with smart meters.
reduce waste in transmission
Utilities such as ComEd can help reduce the amount of electricity wasted during transmission by modernizing the wires and systems that handle electricity -- e.g., volt-VAR optimization.
Residents can encourage such system modernization efforts by donating to and/or signing up for "action alerts" from groups such as the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) that monitor and lobby utilities.
Residents can encourage such system modernization efforts by donating to and/or signing up for "action alerts" from groups such as the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) and the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) that monitor and lobby utilities.