Hydro-Quebec is forecasting strong power demand this weekend due to the expected extreme cold in the Quebec area. Who will give him the necessary strength so that nobody gropes in the dark?
“A strong cold front is currently moving towards Quebec. Temperatures drop within a few hours. Wind chill readings of between -38 and -52 are expected through Saturday,” Environment Canada forecast yesterday.
During the notorious peak season, when Hydro-Québec’s production and distribution capacities are stretched to unprecedented levels, the state-owned company must ensure that it manages its energy well so that no one is left in the dark.
Import
“At peak times we can fall back on various alternatives. For example, requesting collaboration with large consumer industry customers, introducing Hilo challenges, or targeting subscribers with dynamic pricing. We can reduce our exports or import from neighboring markets,” explains Caroline Des Rosiers, spokeswoman for Hydro-Québec.
But it is above all Hydro’s large consumers who help in these key moments by reducing their consumption.
Photo from McGill University website
Francois Bouffard
teacher
connected to McGill
“In order of importance, it is commercial, industrial and institutional customers that contribute through agreements with Hydro-Québec,” explains François Bouffard, associate professor in McGill University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “This can range from aluminum smelters to buildings like McGill University, which will close every other elevator and reduce unnecessary electricity consumption,” he explains.
interrupt option
At peak times, the big consumers like aluminum smelters or Quebec steel mills are the ones who make the difference, explains Jocelyn B. Allard, president of the Quebec Association of Industrial Electricity Consumers.
“Several large industrial consumers have an interruptible option in Hydro-Quebec, where they are shutting down part of their operations to help Hydro-Quebec surpass its peak. We are talking about companies like Arcelor Mittal, manufacturers of chemical products and so on. »
HYDRO’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS WEEKEND
- Watch out for rush hours
- distribute consumption
- Use devices during off-peak hours
- Shower before or after rush hour
- Heat only the necessary parts
- Reduce heating in unoccupied rooms