Extreme temperatures, demand straining electricity system in Massachusetts

BOSTON — It’s been 90 levels or hotter in Boston a dozen days thus far this yr, and extra scorching climate is within the forecast.

Again to again days of oppressive warmth that had been as soon as uncommon are testing our energy grid.

The networks of wires and substations that maintain the electrical energy on and air conditioners working are already confused as housing density will increase.

Extra frequent and intense excessive temperatures are including to the pressure of native networks and our system as an entire.

Some specialists consider it’s time to think about upgrading our system’s capability.

“We’re going to want investments in electrical energy transmission which can be going to assist us join provide and demand,” mentioned Ian Sue Wing, Professor of Earth & Setting at Boston College. “The demand goes up and up and up.”

Professor Wing predicts the kind of heatwaves we’re experiencing this summer time will turn out to be extra of the norm within the coming a long time.

“By the yr 2050, that is going to be fairly widespread sadly,” he defined. “We’re already seeing, within the present local weather, a shift from a winter peak of electrical energy use to a summer time peak.”

Eversource and Nationwide Grid, which ship many of the electrical energy in Massachusetts, are taking a look at upgrading to transformers that may carry a larger load.

“The ability grid is just not getting any youthful. The grids are there. It’s laborious to revamp them from scratch,” mentioned Auroop Ganguly, Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Northeastern College.

In accordance with Eversource, residential prospects in Massachusetts use a mean 40 p.c extra power in the course of the scorching summer time months.

An Eversource spokesperson mentioned system operators are continually monitoring the system, and crews are all the time prepared to reply to any potential points which can be attributable to climate.

“As well as, our transmission and distribution programs are designed to deal with excessive demand on scorching summer time days like at this time, and we’re continually centered on upgrading and modernizing our system to interchange getting older services and tools with stronger and extra resilient supplies – corresponding to metal poles, new transformers and modern substation designs (each elevated and underground), amongst different examples,” mentioned a press release from Eversource.

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