A Record 103° Pushes Limits of Con Edison (NY)

[jpak]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/08/nyregion/08heat.html?src=mv

The Northeast faced a fourth day Wednesday of a record-breaking heat wave, after triple-digit temperatures tested power supplies throughout the region and tried the patience and resilience of anyone who dared to venture outside.
Multimedia

While temperatures were expected to moderate some from Tuesday’s peak — which saw a record set at 103 degrees for the day in New York City — utilities warned that the length and intensity of this heat wave was testing the limits of the power grid.

Con Edison said it was working to restore power to about 6,300 customers in New York City on Wednesday; in Washington nearly 2,000 customers were without power, while New Jersey’s Public Service Electric and Gas Company reported about 6,500 customers without electricity.

Transportation officials cut the speed of commuter trains on Tuesday in New York and suburban Washington when the tracks got too hot, and rail riders in New Jersey were advised to expect delays again Wednesday.

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[Renew Deal]

1. 103 is nowhere near normal in NYC

just in case anyoen was wondering. We go over 100 once or twice every 3 years or so. It's very uncommon, especially in July.

[Jennicut]

4. It was 100 in Hartford, CT yesterday. This region of the United States does not get these days

very often. It hit 102 at Bradley Airport, tying a record. Crazy, crazy heat wave!

[BeyondGeography]

2. So far, mostly so good

One more day and we're in the clear. A major blackout would be a catastrophe in these conditions.

[sharp_stick]

3. I think one reason we haven't had a blackout

or major disruption is the work people and companies have been putting into buildings to improve their insulation. That and the increase in efficiency of more modern air conditioners.

Now you can run four >7000 BTU window air conditioners with less of a power drain than a single 6000 BTU unit built just 15 years ago.

At work we are also a lot more active in keeping our energy use down on really hot days, the windows remain shaded and there is a lot of emphasis on turning off equipment that isn't in use.