It got so hot in Danville that two all-time peak electrical usage records were set Monday almost one after the other. That record didn't last long when 210,000 kilowatts were used by city electrical customers about 30 minutes later.
Peak demand is the total amount of energy required by all customers during a one-hour period.
For example, air conditioners work harder to keep buildings and residences cool, and this demand requires more electricity. Besides the steamy weather, Loveless said the record indicates Danville's utility is adding new customers, and it's also selling more electricity. Other summer peak usage records were set throughout the area because of the heat. American Electric Power's Virginia and West Virginia service area recorded about 5.6 million kilowatts used at 4 p.m. The previous summer record was 5.5 million kilowatts set on Aug. 14, 1995.