Load Curtailment

Q. What is "load curtailment" or a "rolling power outage?

• Load curtailment is reducing the amount of electricity being used to balance supply and demand. When electricity supply is low and can’t keep pace with consumer demand, rolling outages help balance the electric grid to prevent widespread, uncontrolled outages.
• Temperature extremes often trigger increased demand for electricity. If there are already constraints on the amount of power that is available, regional grid operators may implement rolling power outages to protect the electric grid from widespread damage.
• A rolling power outage is a planned, controlled outage that moves from one area to the next. Rolling outages are designed to be brief so power isn’t out for too long in one location.

 

Q: Why can’t electricity supply match consumer demand?

• Typically, electricity is available at the flip of a switch. But you may not realize the electricity you use is forecasted, planned, and purchased before it makes its way to your home or business. The electric grid must be maintained at a certain frequency. When extreme temperatures drive up electricity demand, the grid may not be able to keep pace. That’s why rotating temporary outages can help rebalance the grid, without having to shutdown larger, widespread areas. Rolling outages are a last resort but prevent serious damage to the grid.

 

Q: Why would my co-op plan rolling power outages? 

• Berkeley Electric implements rolling power outages only when our primary power supplier, Santee Cooper, determines they are necessary. When energy demand outpaces electricity supply, rolling outages help balance the electric grid to prevent damage to the electrical grid and avoid widespread, uncontrolled outages.  
• We understand even a brief outage can be uncomfortable. Implementing rolling outages is a last resort, and we work closely with Santee Cooper before making this difficult decision. Please know we will do everything we can to limit the length of the outages.  

 

Q: What should I do if rolling power outages are possible?

• If you receive an alert that rolling outages are possible, you can help by reducing your energy use. The best area to conserve is your thermostat. Raise it to 78 degrees (or lower it o 68 degrees in the winter) and avoid using energy-intensive appliances, such as clothes dryers, water heaters, and dishwashers. You can also unplug any unused electrical items.

 

Q: How can I stay up to date when rolling power outages are possible?

• Follow Berkeley Electric on Facebook for the latest information.  

 

Q: Is BEC required to participate in these temporary power outages?

• If a temporary outage occurs, Berkeley Electric, as your local distribution cooperative, was mandated to take a certain amount of power offline to maintain the integrity of our equipment and systems because the overall demand for electricity exceeded the supply.
• BEC is not the only utility mandated to take services offline. Others served by our local balancing authority Santee Cooper were also required to take a certain percentage of their system down to help lower the demand and balance it with the available supply.

 

Q: What is Berkeley Electric doing to fix this?

• The increasing concern and reality of generation shortfalls to support the reliability we promise and provide is on the minds of Berkeley Electric’s leadership, the state’s cooperative leadership, and the nation’s cooperative leadership. We are working with other co-ops in South Carolina to invest in future generation that is fiscally responsible and provides less exposure/risk for our members. Our generation-and-transmission co-op, Central Electric Power Cooperative, is working to coordinate the best solution for reliable, low-cost power for members by aggregating the best prices and solutions for a diversified portfolio of power generation.
• Look at our Integrated Resource Plan on our website to see how we’re preparing.

 

Q: What options do we have?

• Technologies like energy storage, carbon capture, hydrogen-fired and dual-use turbine plants and small, modular nuclear reactors are all being discussed as options going forward. However, these technologies aren’t yet ready for the main stage. Right now, it is vital for members to understand their role in managing demand while we continue to research and explore new solutions.

 

Q: What can I do to help?

• Invest in your home’s energy efficiency to save money and ensure your comfort.
• Programming your appliances and tools to run at a time when electricity is not in high demand helps your co-op keep rates affordable and offsets the need for more generation. Managing your use of electricity by updating appliances, relying on technology and becoming more efficient helps your co-op better prepare for the future and saves you money.