Canucks Playoff load impacts continue
You always hear people say that individual actions can add up to make a difference. Now, we are seeing proof of that with the Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup playoff run.
With some simple interpretation of the provincial electricity load it seems that overall electricity demand drops during game time. During Game 5 of the Western Conference final on Tuesday night – during which the Canucks eliminated the San Jose Sharks – we observed a significant reduction in the expected peak load. Over the entire duration of the game, there was an overall average reduction of about 2.8 per cent or approximately 169 megawatts.
We are calling this a case of accidental energy conservation. It seems that during game time, most people in BC are glued to their televisions and not partaking in other energy-consuming activities. We also recognize that some people are simply moving high energy use activities, like doing the laundry, to other times of the day. Generally though, for each series we have seen a noticeable drop in demand. For example, for Games 5 and 6 of the Western Conference semifinal, we observed an overall reduction of about two per cent in the electricity load. The highest reduction yet was observed during Game 7 of the Western Conference quarter-final – a drop in the load of about 3.6 per cent.
This serves as a good example of how all British Columbians can take simple actions and make small behavioural changes that can add up to make a significant impact.
Go Canucks go!