WILLMAR -- The interruptible and load share programs helped Willmar Municipal Utilities avoid exceeding peak power demand during last week's hot weather, according to a report given to the Municipal Utilities Commission on Monday.
Under the interruptible program, customers that have a backup generator with a capacity of 100 kilowatts or more will receive payment of $3 per kilowatt-hour per month to have the generator available to run during the six peak summer months of May through October whether the utility asks customers to interrupt regular service or not.
Under the load share program, participating customers agree to have technology installed at no cost on their central air conditioners that cycles off the air conditioner during the hottest days of the summer for 7.5 minutes during a 30-minute period.
The programs allow the utility to buy power differently so that expensive purchases can be avoided and thereby help reduce the upward pressure on electricity rates, according to the utility's website.
"Last week we had some warm times. We had a lot of power use and (power supply broker Chris Carlson) instigated load share as well as the interruptible program,'' said Wes Hompe, interim co-manager.
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Carlson said last week was the first time that the utility used the load share and the interruptible programs in 2012.
Carlson said both programs were initiated at 5 p.m. July 2 and at 3 p.m. July 3.
Only load share was initiated at 2 p.m. on July 5 and not the interruptible program. Neither program was used July 4 because power demand was down.
On July 2, the estimated peak demand was reduced by an estimated 3.85 megawatts from an estimated 64.46 megawatts to an actual load of 60.62 megawatts. On July 3, the estimated peak demand was reduced by an estimated 3.97 megawatts from an estimated 64.44 megawatts to an actual load of 60.47 megawatts.
On July 5, the estimated peak of 59.06 megawatts was reduced by 2.38 megawatts to an actual load of 56.68 megawatts.
Based on the forecast for this week, Carlson said it looks like perhaps load share will be initiated and not the interruptible program.
Commissioner Matt Schrupp said the price of power during those peak times is quite high and he asked if Carlson knew what the cost of power was during that time.
Carlson said the main point of load share and interruptible programs is to reduce the utility's peak demand load. Carlson said it's always nice to try to reduce costs. She could not say what the price was at those peak hours, "but we did have some very high prices.''
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In other business during a 15-minute meeting, Commission President Dave Baker honored interim co-manager and customer service supervisor Larry Heinen who is retiring after 32 years with the utility and who attended his last commission meeting Monday.
