- Duke Energy sets preliminary new combined utility system
usage record; 37,387 MWh today
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 23,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy crews and grid
operators successfully managed record-breaking power usage while
generating and delivering reliable service to customers during an
extended period of sustained cold temperatures.
The Carolinas service area experienced about 65 hours of
freezing or below freezing temperatures beginning Jan. 20, which the area has not experienced since
January 2018.
Preliminary numbers indicate that Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke
Energy Progress achieved a new combined peak usage record on
Jan. 23 of 37,387 MWh of electricity
consumption, beating the previous record of 36,670 MWh set on
Feb. 20, 2015.
"When temperatures are cold, our customers count on us to
generate and deliver reliable power," said Ben Harrison, Duke Energy vice president of grid
operations - planning and operations. "I commend the efforts of the
crews at our power plants, in grid control rooms and in the field
across the region for their work around the clock. We had a strong
plan in place and have worked to help ensure we can reliably serve
our customers in all types of weather."
Duke Energy relies on a diverse energy mix to meet growing
energy needs across the state. That mix includes nuclear, natural
gas, hydro renewables and coal, all of which are needed when demand
for electricity is high. We expect those energy needs to continue
to increase as we work to reliably meet customer and economic
growth in the region.
Energy efficiency is important year-round to save money on your
electric bill. When temperatures are cold, it is a key time to make
small adjustments to manage energy use to help save and avoid bill
surprises.
Ways to save energy and money as temperatures drop
- During the winter, reduce your thermostat to the lowest
comfortable setting. The longer your house remains at the lower
temperature, the more energy you save.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees or less. Water heating is
typically the second-biggest user of energy in your home.
- Leave drapes or blinds open on the sunny side of the home to
allow the sun's rays to warm the house, but close them at night to
help insulate your home.
- Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction in the winter to
push warm air back down into the room.
- Cover drafty windows. Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on
a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of window
frames during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is
sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration.
- Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows
that feel drafty after weatherizing.
Get personalized energy usage alerts
Let usage alerts take the stress out of managing energy use. Get
notified when you reach your personalized limit, so you're able to
make changes and find ways to save before the bill
arrives.
The Duke Energy app can also provide daily and hourly usage
information, so you can see your unique patterns.
By having a smart meter and an email address on file, customers
are automatically enrolled to receive usage alerts that show how
much electricity they are using and how much it may cost in time to
adjust. Sign in to your online account or create one
here.
Get more tips, learn about incentives and sign up for usage
alerts and other tools to save money
at duke-energy.com/WinterEnergySavings.
Tips and solutions to help save all season long
The company also has a suite of money-saving programs, tips,
guidance and assistance to help lessen seasonal bill impacts. Visit
our Winter Energy Savings webpage for more
information: duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150
company headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies.
The company's electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in
North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves
1.7 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition,
keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the
forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions
from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions
from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in
major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including
expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and advanced
nuclear.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and
the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter,
LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for
stories about the people and innovations powering our energy
transition.
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy