Duke Energy asked customers in North Carolina and South Carolina to voluntarily cut electricity use from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 18, saying unusually hot September weather was driving high demand across parts of the Carolinas during the day's peak period.
What Duke Energy is asking
The utility asked customers to raise their thermostats to the highest comfortable setting, avoid running washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers, and limit use of electric ranges and ovens, which generate heat that pushes up cooling needs indoors. It also asked electric vehicle owners to charge overnight, when demand on the power grid is lower.
- Raise the thermostat to the highest comfortable setting
- Avoid major appliances such as washing machines, dryers and dishwashers
- Limit use of electric ranges and ovens
- Charge electric vehicles overnight rather than during the day
Utility executives on the request
"Above-average heat puts pressure on the system during peak hours," said Kendal Bowman, president of Duke Energy's utility operations in North Carolina. "It is inconvenient to reduce electric use, but it makes a real difference," said Tim Pearson, president of the utility's South Carolina operations.
Duke Energy has about 3.9 million electric customers in North Carolina and more than 870,000 in South Carolina.
We reported last month that DOE ordered Duke Energy to secure the Carolinas grid through the Labor Day weekend.
