It’s that time of year! With the hot weather, our energy provider may ask Wilkes to do its part to reduce energy use.
Here’s how it works:
The curtailment program is designed to help manage demand for electricity from June through September when temperatures are highest.
Direct Energy will issue warnings of potential peak periods two 2 to 12 hours before actual events. If an event is called, the customers must reduce their use of electricity.
Wilkes can achieve the reduction by limiting air conditioning, reducing or shifting the operation of other equipment or using auxiliary on-site electrical generation.
Reducing Energy Pays
Curtailment incentives are based on the contracted kW reduced during peak periods and are payable as rebates at the end of the peak energy season.
Implementation and Action
Immediately upon being officially notified that electrical load reduction is necessary, the following actions will need to take place on campus.
- Campus Support Services will begin to reduce physical plant mechanical loads (pumps, HVAC, etc.) without compromising the health and safety of personnel, physical plant assets or designated special requirements.
- Campus community members will inform each other of the need to reduce loads and take individuals actions such as:
- Turning off all non-vital or unused equipment such as copiers, coffee pots, personal fans, lab equipment, radios and so forth
- Shutting off printers, monitors and computers that are not being used during this period
- Turning off all lights in unoccupied rooms and reducing lighting where possible
- Closing window blinds or shades
- Keeping windows closed to stay cool (Opening the windows will allow heat and humidity into the building and increase the length of time for the building to cool once the air conditioning resumes)
These efforts will significantly improve our ability to successfully reach the desired electrical load shedding.
Questions? Please contact Charles Cary Charles.cary@wilkes.edu.