Medicine Hat uses more in a heat wave than cold snap
The Medicine Hat power plant and city power distribution crews are confirming the recent cold snap did not impact overall operations severely despite plunging temperatures.
“We haven’t had any weather-related issues during the cold snap,” said Jeff Sandford, acting manager of electric distribution for the city. “The cold does not usually affect the distribution lines themselves; that would only happen in conjunction with a wind or snow event.”
“Medicine Hat is somewhat unique in the province,” added Joshua Gale, operations superintendent for electric generation at the plant. “Whereas provincial load overall is highest in winter time, Medicine Hat’s load is highest in summer time because of our significant air condition load.
“Although we do have high demand right now, it is not as high as it would be during a heat wave in Medicine Hat. During the cold weather we will see over a 144-megawatt peak demand. Summer peak demand is about 15 or 25 per cent higher than demand in winter.”
In fact, confirmed Gale, the cold weather actually makes it easier to produce electricity.
“We draw in air to use in the combustion process,” said Gale. “In winter the air is more dense; so we are actually able to produce more electricity.”
Both Sandford and Gale stated the biggest challenge facing city electrical operations during a cold snap is actually having personnel physically out in the cold for longer periods of time when the mercury drops.