After the warning of Cammesa for the increase in energy demand in the face of the heat wave, The electrical distributors of the AMBA turned on the alerts and demanded a rational and efficient use of the equipment. air-conditioning. According to the companies, on many occasions the air is used simultaneously in homes, which generates an exponential increase in electrical consumption and a waste of energy.
“Due to different effects, the system is stressed. There is an effect that is occurring in recent times which is the simultaneity in the use of air conditioners. You enter a house and they have three or four air conditioning on at the same time, they don’t rotate them. There is a cultural issue with air conditioning, which is strongly prejudiced for the system”warned Edgardo Volosinexecutive director of Edenor, a distributor with more than 3 million users in the northern area of AMBA and the City of Buenos Aires.
According to what the expert said in dialogue with Urban Playdue to this simultaneity “loads are produced” (in the system), the “most important effect” at these times of the year, which generates a growth in energy consumption.
“There is a need to supply much more demand, to provide more reliable transportation to meet this growth, which is natural, and on the other hand the use of air conditioning that does not favor the system at all”, the Edenor manager remarked.
In the midst of the beginning of the heat wave that is hitting the center and north of the country, including the metropolitan region, Volosin assured that the main factor in the increase in energy demand in summer is the use of air conditioners. “The issue of air has become a necessity. There are no large European cities that have four air conditioners in the house”, he stressed.
This Monday, the energy consumption measured by Cammesa rose more than expected, above 24,000 MW of power. But the warning signs went off for the Thursday, January 16, when temperatures were forecast with peaks of 36° in the AMBA and more than 40° in several provinces.
What did Cammesa predict for the coming days?
Camessa warned that due to the high temperatures and heat energy and power demand records may be brokenso it is analyzed import more electricity from Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia or Brazil.
“Demand has a high probability of reaching or exceeding current energy and power records (597.7 GWh and 29,653 MW)”Cammesa noted in its weekly report.
The electricity management company projected that between January 11 and 17 will be presented maximums of 36° and minimums of 25° in CABA (means between 30° and 31°) and “more demanding situations” even in the Center and North of the country between 32° and 34°.
According to these forecasts, The most critical situation is expected for Thursday, January 16when estimating a peak demand of 29,662 MW, which would mean a new record above the all-time high of 29,653 MW from February 1, 2024.
In this context, the possibility of importing energy from Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia and Brazil, which will depend on the availability of each of these countries. This Monday the import was only 8% of the total, about 1,900 MW.
The transportation and distribution systems, meanwhile, are operating under “normal” conditions, Cammesa clarified.
10 tips to consume less energy
- Turn off devices that are not in use: Avoid leaving electronic devices and lights in empty rooms on. Computers, televisions and other devices on standby can consume up to 15% of energy under normal operating conditions.
- Unplug devices out of use: Between 5 and 16% of household consumption arises from leaving devices connected that are not frequently used. The same goes for those devices with batteries, it is very important not to keep them connected once charging is complete and to remove the chargers from the sockets once the process is finished.
- Choose LED lights: Lighting consumption represents on average between 25 and 35% of residential energy consumption. Therefore, it is important to consider the lighting needs in each part of the home.
- Thermostat in air conditioners: It is recommended to set the thermostat at a temperature of 24°C. It is preferable to keep the equipment on constantly until the desired room temperature is achieved, since turning the equipment on and off consumes more energy. From Cadieel they highlighted: “With a difference of six to eight degrees between the interior and the exterior, it is already comfortable. For every extra degree that I want to cool from 24°C to 18°C, an extra 8% is consumed with that electrical equipment.”
- Choose devices that have “energy saving” mode: It is recommended to choose computers, notebooks, printers and scanners with the “Energy Star” label that have the ability to go to sleep after a certain time has passed in which the equipment has not been used.
- Take advantage of sunlight: The ideal is to use natural light for as long as possible. It is recommended to avoid objects blocking the windows, choose curtains that allow light to pass through, and place tables and desks in illuminated areas.
- Choose class A appliances: When purchasing large appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioning equipment, it is important to check their energy labeling and choose those that have category A, this being the position with the greatest savings. On the other hand, it is advisable not to choose devices of greater size or power than what is needed.
- Minimize the electrical consumption of refrigerators: As the refrigerator is an appliance that is permanently connected to the network, it is important to guarantee its low consumption. To do this, it is ideal to keep the refrigeration temperature at 5°C and the freezer temperature at -18°C. It is important that the weatherstrips are in good condition, defrost it periodically to prevent ice from hindering operation and guarantee space for the engine to ventilate properly.
- Perform periodic maintenance of lamps and devices: Control and cleaning prolong the useful life and effectiveness of the devices. If all the elements of an electronic device or appliance work properly, it will maintain an optimal level of consumption. Regarding lamps, if they are clean they perform up to 20% more.
- Proper use of commonly used appliances: For optimal use of the washing machine, it is advisable to use low temperature programs, wash with a full load and use a moderate amount of soap. It is recommended to use the dryer only in emergency cases. In the case of electric ovens, it is suggested not to open the door excessively, as this will cause 20% of the energy accumulated inside to be lost. And with irons (it is estimated that they can constitute more than 6% of monthly consumption) it is advisable to iron as much clothing as possible per turn on.
Source: Ambito
I am a 24-year-old writer and journalist who has been working in the news industry for the past two years. I write primarily about market news, so if you’re looking for insights into what’s going on in the stock market or economic indicators, you’ve come to the right place. I also dabble in writing articles on lifestyle trends and pop culture news.
