Let’s Talk About Your Business’ Energy Usage

RJ Tee
June 01, 2015

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The topic of electricity prices are on just about everyone’s mind in southern California these days. That’s because the California Public Utilities Commission may soon ask* local utility providers to adopt a new time-based payment system that will significantly drive up prices during peak times.

Under this plan, which could go into effect in 2019, electricity rates could change depending on the time of day, and the time of year. Electricity will be more expensive when it is in peak demand, and less expensive when it is not.

Proponents of time-based electricity usage argue that this new plan will force consumers to reduce electricity usage, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels. But people who are against the plan argue that it will cause electricity rates to spike during times when amenities like air conditioning are essential. Simply put, it gets too hot to go without air conditioning during summertime in California.

While it remains to be seen whether the new system will go into effect, the fact is that we have a power usage problem in California and data centers are as much to blame—if not more— than residential customers as they often use an exorbitant amount of electricity. So rather than turning our attention on how we can reduce power usage in the residential sector alone, it’s worth considering how the private sector can curb its daily usage as well.

So, how much power is your data center using daily? As a California business owner, take the responsibility of assessing your own facility’s energy habits, and looking for ways of eliminating waste. In doing so, you will help become part of the solution as we look for a way that every business and residential customer can receive power at a reasonable price.

*Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/05/20/california-electricity-rates/27688891/
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