Coronavirus changing electricity consumption patterns in New York

The changing patterns of behavior due to the coronavirus crisis are having an impact on electricity consumption in New York.

According to New York Independent System Operator, daily energy use on the grid has declined by roughly 2 to 3 percent with daily peak energy use about 2 percent lower than normal. This is due primarily to people working from home and limiting social activities to curb the spread.

Electricity use patterns are also changing. For example, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. — a time when energy use is high as people arrive at work — usage is down 6 to 9 percent. However, the load increases later in the day as consumption is more spread out.

“In this case, with so many closures and people telecommuting, the change in behavioral patterns is reducing overall energy use, even as some New Yorkers are increasing consumption as they work from home,” New York ISO officials said.

As a result of these changes, New York ISO’s planning experts are developing new forecasts to reliable run the grid.

“As more data is available, our forecasting team will further refine forecasts based on the societal changes we are seeing. These forecasts will help our grid operators prepare for these evolving load profiles,” New York ISO officials said.

Further, New York ISO has taken numerous steps to protect the health and safety of its staff during this time.