As we continue to work towards providing reliable and affordable electricity, it’s important for us to share some key concepts about how energy works. Two terms you might have heard us mention in the past are “consumption” and “demand.” While they might sound similar, they refer to different aspects of your energy use. 

Consumption is the total amount of electricity you use over a specific period, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Think of it like the total distance a car travels on a trip. For example, if you run your air conditioner, lights, and appliances for several hours, your consumption is the sum of all the electricity those devices used during that time.

Demand, on the other hand, is about the rate at which you use electricity at any given moment, measured in kilowatts (kW). It’s like the speed at which the car is traveling. High demand occurs when many devices are running simultaneously, which can strain the electric grid, especially during peak times.

To illustrate the difference, consider two cars driving the same 100-mile route. One travels at 10 miles per hour for 10 hours, while the other speeds at 100 miles per hour for just 1 hour. Both cover the same distance (consumption), but the faster car needs a more powerful engine to handle the higher speed (demand).

By understanding how your energy use affects the grid, you can make informed decisions that help us maintain reliability and keep costs down for everyone. In future letters, we’ll discuss how you can adjust your energy use to help reduce demand during peak times, which benefits the entire cooperative.

Here at Clay Electric Co-operative, we’re working hard every day to maintain and improve the system that powers your homes and businesses. It’s already been a stormy year, and our crews have been busy with preventative maintenance and storm recovery efforts. We appreciate your patience during outages and remind everyone to stay prepared and stay safe during severe weather.

Spring flew by, and before we know it, it will be time for the 81st Annual Meeting of the Members on August 21, 2025. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you for being a valued member of our cooperative. Be sure to keep an eye out for your member number in the center section of this magazine. There are three member numbers hidden within the pages of Clay Electric News. If you spot your number and give us a call, you will win a $5 discount on your next bill!