Because electricity is something that can’t be stored and used later, it needs to be used once it is generated and live on the system or else it will go to waste. Utilities monitor both demand and load around the clock to make sure it’s the right amount to meet the real-time needs of the customer.

Electricity load fluctuates to meet demand  

To understand just how demand and load can fluctuate, think about how your family uses electricity at home.In general, you use less power when you’re asleep or away at work or school. And you likely use it more when you’re awake and doing things around the house. If you were to chart this usage hour by hour, you could almost tell the time of day and the season of year by it.

The same thing occurs throughout the entire system. Then, as you consider the substantial needs of businesses and industry with their machinery and large spaces that need heating and cooling, the impact on electric load is even greater.

Throughout the country, energy distribution often falls on a grid operator, who ensures the amount of energy distributed to customers meets their demand. 

How is electricity load kept in balance?

There are times when demand is at its height and the energy sources, both power plants and supplemental sources, are working at full capacity. Still, utilities often deploy solutions to make sure customers’ needs are met.

One example of this is load shedding. That’s when customers are asked to find ways to lower their energy usage. At home, for example, you might accomplish this by using appliances such as your washer and dryer at night. 

The goal is to keep the grid in balance, so your utility can keep it going while also managing costs and resources.