Peaking patterns

Weather is increasingly affecting power market dynamics, with prices as variableas the temperatures. But the volatility has spawned a growing variety of methodsofmanaging peak load demand. By Catherine Lacoursiere

The trend toward increased temperature volatility is changing power pricing dynamics. More than ever,weather is driving market behaviour. Managing the corresponding increase in peak load electricity demand is becoming a delicate balancing act. On the one hand, utilities and power marketers have enjoyed profit windfalls following a winter of peak load records. On the other, efforts to avoid entering the spot market during peak hours have intensified following the power price spikes