Last week, much of the eastern United States experienced one of the most significant periods of electricity demand in recent history.
As temperatures climbed and millions of air conditioners ran at full capacity, PJM Interconnection—the organization responsible for operating the nation’s largest electric grid—prepared for what could have become a record-breaking demand event. Utilities, grid operators, businesses, and energy providers across the region mobilized to help reduce strain on the grid through conservation efforts and demand response programs.
Then something encouraging happened.
Despite forecasts that electricity demand could exceed historic highs, actual peak demand remained below the all-time record. According to PJM, emergency conservation efforts and customer participation helped reduce demand enough to avoid reaching record levels.
It’s an important reminder that the electric grid isn’t just powered by infrastructure—it’s strengthened by preparation, participation, and community.
Turning Insight Into Action
Our product partners at Think Energy closely monitor market conditions and grid activity. As forecasts showed demand climbing throughout the week, they recognized that customers could play an important role in helping reduce stress during the highest-demand periods. When they contacted us about the upcoming demand event, our team sprung into action.
Working quickly, the Think+ team launched a coordinated effort that included:
- Educational communications to our customers explaining why peak demand matters
- Day-of Smart Energy Alerts encouraging simple conservation steps like lowering your thermostat or avoiding high-draw appliances during the peak demand window
- Resources for our Energy Advisors so they could help educate customers and communities
The recommendations themselves weren’t complicated, and individually they may seem insignificant—however, when multiplied across many households, these small actions can clearly have a measurable impact.
The Power of Millions of Small Decisions
One of the most exciting trends in today’s energy landscape is the growing role consumers play in supporting grid reliability.
Historically, balancing supply and demand was almost entirely the responsibility of utilities and power plants. Today, connected technology, better forecasting, and real-time communication make it possible for everyday households to become active participants in the relationship between their homes and the grid.
When thousands—or even millions—of customers make small adjustments during periods of peak demand, the combined effect can reduce stress on the grid, improve reliability, and help avoid more costly emergency measures. As last week’s events demonstrated, those collective actions really matter.
Building Products That Benefit Everyone
This philosophy is at the heart of how we think about energy innovation.
Programs like AutoSave aren’t simply about helping customers manage their energy more efficiently—they’re also about creating smarter, more responsive relationships between consumers and the electric grid.
The same is true for our home battery program. Behind every battery is an opportunity to store energy when it’s abundant and support the grid when demand is highest. While customers receive valuable backup power and energy benefits, these connected resources also represent an important part of building a more resilient energy system for our communities.
As the grid continues to evolve—and as electricity demand grows from electrification, AI, and expanding data centers—we believe these kinds of connected solutions will become increasingly important. They create value for customers while contributing to something larger than any one household.
Looking Ahead
The story of last week’s demand event isn’t that one company or one program solved the challenge.
It’s that thousands of organizations and millions of customers worked together to do something that wouldn’t have been possible alone.
That’s the future of energy.
Smarter technology. Better information. Connected customers. And millions of small decisions adding up to something much bigger.
We’re proud that Think+, our customers and our field leaders were able to be part of that effort—and we’re even more excited about what’s ahead as connected energy continues to transform how we power our communities.
