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Keeping
Clean Through Energy Conservation
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Click
chart for raw data.
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In recent years,
the Tennessee Valley’s demand for electric power has risen sharply.
From 1999 to 2000, TVA’s all-time peak demand increased by almost
1,000 megawatts (enough electricity to power both Knoxville, Tennessee,
and Huntsville, Alabama, on an average day).
To help manage
this demand, TVA and its distributor partners have developed and implemented
several programs that encourage wise energy use. For residential markets,
the energy rightsm program furnishes information
and incentives designed to promote energy-efficient construction techniques
and appliances. Similar programs and special pricing structures are
available for large industrial consumers.
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Click chart
for raw data.
2001 drop
reflects decrease in economic forecast for new housing starts
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These programs—along
with others, like TVA’s in-school geothermal heating and cooling
units and its energy-use curtailment in its own buildings—not only
save consumers money but also help TVA supply all the power the Valley
needs. By encouraging consumers to reduce their energy use during periods
of high demand, the agency can avoid the costly operation of peak-production
generating units and can ensure that an adequate supply of power will
be available to its customers.
However, TVA isn’t
on target to achieve the demand-side management goal established in
Energy Vision 2020, the agency’s official plan for meeting future
energy requirements in the Valley. That goal is a peak-load reduction
of 600 megawatts by 2002; currently the reduction totals about 220 megawatts,
achieved through energy-efficiency initiatives and the control of residential
water-heating units.
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Click
chart for raw data.
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