TVA says it's ready to meet demand for electricity in summer months

Officials at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s John Sevier Combined Cycle Plant said Thursday that all preparations have been made to ensure that the plant, along with the overall TVA system, are prepared to handle increased summer demand for electricity.

TVA officials are also asking the public to use common sense in conserving electricity by turning up the thermometer a few degrees, especially when no one is home, and not using major appliances such as washing machines and ovens during the hottest part of the day.

The TVA’s seven state service regions received a sneak preview last week of what’s likely to come this summer, with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees during the hottest part of the days.

Those hotter temperatures mean harder-working air conditioners and more strain on the TVA’s power plants.

“The Valley has been performing excellently,” said Kate Bowling, the John Sevier plant manager. “We’ve met load every day. We’ve had no issues whatsoever. Issues with routine equipment, here at John Sevier we’ve been able to rotate the equipment in and out. Basically during these situations — these long summer runs, you’ve just got to be able to pivot and do what you have to do to make the load.”

She added: “What we’re doing now is very extensive daily routine walks several times, making sure that all the equipment is running like it’s supposed to — making sure we’re not seeing or hearing vibrations or leaks or anything like that. We’re being very aware of what’s going on with our environment and our equipment.”

‘IN VERY GOOD SHAPE’

John Sevier produces 750 megawatts, and officials estimate serving between 575 and 585 homes on average per megawatt.

TVA spokesman Scott Brooks said that system-wide TVA has been meeting demands on a daily basis as high as 30,000 megawatts, which is not unusual for this time of year and nowhere near a record. Peak wintertime demands have reached more than 33,000 megawatts.

“We’re in very good shape as far as being able to meet the demand with what we have,” Brooks said. “TVA is able to produce, with the generation we have, more than 32,000 megawatts as needed. We have the ability to purchase up to 5,000 more megawatts as needed on demand. The system is in great shape, and plants like the John Sevier Combined Cycle Plant are doing what they’re supposed to do to make sure we meet demand.

“This is the kind of thing TVA plans for all year around,” Brooks added. “Peak demands in both the summer and the winter. We start assessing each of our plants for summer readiness in the spring, even before it starts to heat up, making sure that we have every single megawatt available on demand. If we have an issue at one plant, we have other generation for backup.”

ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

Here are some tips to keep your energy bills in check and help TVA meet demand during hot weather.

Manage appliances: Refrain from running your dishwasher, clothes washer or dryer between noon and 8 p.m. If your appliances are programmable, set them to run at night.

Change filters: Make sure your air conditioner filter is clean so your unit runs as efficiently as possible. Get discounted prices by establishing a subscription for regular filter replacements or use a filter whistle to alert you when you’re due for a change. You can get a free filter whistle and other energy-saving gadgets by completing a DIY Home Energy Assessment.

Get smart on thermostats: Each degree you raise your thermostat during the summer can save about 3% on your electric bill. Do the math — that adds up. A smart thermostat can help. Consider setting it to precool your home before the hottest part of the day.

Close doors: Keep exterior doors closed and minimize the time you leave the refrigerator door open.

Unplug: Got unused or unnecessary appliances or electronic devices? Pull them out of the wall. If they’re plugged in, they still use energy even when turned off.

Recycle: Consider parting with that old extra fridge in your garage or basement. It’s probably an energy hog.

Close curtains: Direct sunlight can heat up a room. Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day on the south, west and east sides of your house.

Dine alfresco: When possible, grill outside. If you cook indoors, use your microwave or try to avoid recipes that require long cooking times on the stovetop or oven. It’s probably not the week to bake bread.

Change bulbs: Transition to more energy-efficient lightbulbs, which use 75% less energy and emit less heat.

Aim for shade: Use the hot summer days to create a landscaping plan that introduces shade trees on the south side.