WAILUKU, Hawaii (AP) - The electric company and the coronavirus are responsible for Hawaii residents moving into the future faster than other Americans.
Unprecedented declines in energy use and power generation during the pandemic created a slight electrical frequency disruption, The Maui News reported Thursday.
The deviation has resulted in several reports of electric clocks running a few minutes fast on Maui.
Hawaiian Electric says the reduced electricity use is largely a result of mass closures of hotels and other businesses across the state.
The economic disruption followed the implementation in March of health and movement restrictions for residents and a mandatory quarantine for travelers arriving from outside the state.
“We saw a significant reduction in use of electricity as tourism activities ceased, businesses closed, and thousands of residents stayed home to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Hawaiian Electric spokeswoman Shayna Decker said.
Decker explained U.S. electric grids operate at a target frequency of 60 hertz. While there are slight variations, the target level is maintained by utility grid operators who balance power generation and energy consumption.
Electric digital clocks, including those on ovens and microwaves, are designed to use the average 60 Hz frequency and even a slight deviation can affect the time on plug-in devices, Decker said.
“Such pronounced changes are something we haven’t experienced before and reflect how quickly and substantially business activity and individual behavior were affected by the pandemic,” Decker said.
The utility also experienced record-low daytime generation on sunny days when private rooftop solar systems supply the most energy, she said.
Most rooftop solar power flows unregulated into the grid, requiring technicians to take action to smooth out solar energy surges and dips.
Hawaiian Electric’s grid operators “quickly adapted to these unprecedented times, and we’ll continue to keep the lights on for everyone,” Decker said.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
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