Utilities rely on dirty ‘peaker’ plants when power demand surges, but there are alternatives
By Akshaya Jha, Carnegie Mellon University The U.S. is nearing the end of one of its hottest summers on record. Across the nation, heat waves have driven peak electricity demand on some days to levels far exceeding seasonal averages. Grid operators rely on so-called “peaker” plants to ensure they will have enough supply to meet…