In the past, California and the Northwest have shared power based on reverse seasonality for peak time loads. This year, neither power supplier has excess capacity, forcing both to seek contract providers to meet peak time demand. Since the absolute supply does not meet peak time demand under certain conditions, it is very likely that all of the West will experience brown outs and high prices this summer. As other providers try to take advantage of these extremely high prices, other areas will also feel the pinch. Once again, there is very little that can be done, at the individual level, to deal with this problem, other than make your home or business as energy efficient as possible, and especially to avoid peak time loads.
SIPs continue to provide one of the best solutions to the peak time energy demand.
This problem is unlikely to be resolved soon, and energy cost for homes may soon be as significant in resale figures for homes as it is in automobiles. Some incentive for excess capacity is needed in resolving this issue or energy providers will not invest in new capacity. The Southface Energy Institute, a leading Green Advocate, built their facility with SIPs as a conscious choice. Their facility, located in Atlanta, GA, is open to the public to tour. The Panel Building Update is a free newsletter published by Perma R Products of Tennessee.