PSE&G: Help Conserve Energy During Heat Wave

PSE&G and PJM Interconnection, the electric grid operator for 13 states and the District of Columbia, are asking consumers to conserve electricity as the heat wave continues to assault the region.

According to PJM, demand for electricity is expected to increase as the excessive heat and humidity continue. PSE&G and PJM are taking precautionary measures to ensure the reliability of the transmission system and adequate power supplies.

Customers are asked to conserve electricity, if health permits, especially between 3 and 7 p.m., when demand typically peaks. 

PSE&G will begin air conditioning cycling this afternoon. About 100,000 residential and small-business customers have signed up for this program, which allows the utility to regulate central air conditioners via a small device on each unit. When PJM issues its request to conserve, a microwave signal instructs each air conditioner to cycle off more often. For example, an AC unit that was running for 40 minutes an hour may drop to 20 minutes. The utility can shed as much as 65 megawatts of power—the amount of energy consumed by about 52,000 homes.

Currently, the utility estimates 5,300 customers are without power throughout the state due to the extreme heat. There are no widespread outages, with Maplewood being the only municipality right now with more than 500 affected customers.

To report a power outage, call PSE&G's Customer Service line at 800-436-PSEG. You can also report an outage online by logging into "My Account" at www.pseg.com.

The utility also is posting updates on its Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/psegoutageinfo.