With deregulation affecting utility rates in different ways all over the nation, the Baltimore State Office Center isn't the only facility looking to decrease costs. Engineers, contractors, and endusers nationwide are seeking methods to leverage utility rate structures and reduce escalating expenses. Fortunately, ice thermal storage technology provides a proven way to put the freeze on cooling costs.
The three functional areas of the electric power industry - generation, distribution, and transmission - face increasing challenges that typically translate into rising costs. For generation, it is becoming harder to meet the traditional industry norm of 15% capacity above demand. Brownouts can start being a concern at 10% above capacity. In 1980, the industry exceeded the norm with 30% excess capacity but this has steadily dropped to 14% in 2000. Some forecasts predict less than 10% average excess capacity in 2005.