peak alerts

Buckeye Power, the generation and transmission cooperative that provides the electricity Ohio’s co-ops distribute to their members, can reduce costs and ease strain on the grid by cycling those appliances off and on for short periods of time when the demand for power is at its highest. More than 100,000 co-op members in Ohio volunteer to participate in the program.

For the co-op, winter peak alerts have traditionally been few and far between. Some years, we experience none at all. This winter, however, told a different story and offered an important reminder about how energy demand continues to change.

Cooperation among cooperatives is a principle ingrained in the cooperative business model and lived out by cooperative employees when we face challenges. This summer, we have already seen powerful storms tearing through much of Ohio — uprooting trees, breaking utility poles, disrupting electric service, blocking roads, and generally making a mess of things.  

After a damp and chilly spring, most of us were more than ready for the arrival of bright days filled with warmth and sunshine. Your electric cooperative is ready for summer, too. 

What’s the peak?

It’s important that consumer-members are aware of those peaks because electric rates for the entire year are based on the highest points of usage during the year, referred to as “peak demand.”