Grid operators increased use of natural gas and hydro

power to offset loss in solar power during eclipse

The purple and blue lines show electricity generated by natural gas and hydro power at

the same time — 3:30p.m. — on three different days, including the day of the eclipse.

6,000 MW

5,000 MW

4,000 MW

3,000 MW

Gas and hydro

power hit an early high

Gas still hasn’t

hit peak.

2,000 MW

1,000 MW

Mon- 3:30pm

Tue- 3:30pm

Wed- 3:30pm

(Eclipse peak in CT)

Hydro is one to two hours

away from the next sharp increase.

Source: ISO New England

Chart: Jose Luis Martinez / CT Mirror

Demand for energy is highest in the early mornings and late afternoons,

when many are getting ready for the day or are just back home from work.

The rest of the day, use of energy is lower.

But on Monday at about 3:30pm, when the eclipse was its fullest, the drop in

solar power necessitated an increase in use of gas and hydro power, which

typically doesn’t occur for another few hours.

Grid operators increased use of

natural gas and hydro to offset

loss in solar power during eclipse

The purple and blue lines show electricity

generated by natural gas and hydro power at

the same time — 3:30p.m. — on three different

days, including the day of the eclipse.

6K

MW

5K

MW

4K

MW

3K

MW

Gas and hydro

hit an early high

Gas still hasn’t

hit peak

2K

MW

1K

MW

Mon- 3:30pm

Tue- 3:30pm

Wed- 3:30pm

(Eclipse peak in CT)

Hydro is one to two hours

away from the next sharp increase.

Demand for energy is highest in the early

mornings and late afternoons, when many

are getting ready for the day or are just

back home from work.The rest of the day,

use of energy is lower.

But on Monday at about 3:30pm, when

the eclipse was its fullest, the drop in

solar power necessitated an increase in

use of gas and hydro, which typically

doesn’t occur for another few hours.