Powering (another) Patriots Super Bowl!

The New England Patriots being in the Super Bowl has become routine around these parts, and so have the patterns of demand on the region’s electric grid during the big game.

Over the past several years, ISO New England has reported on the way the Super Bowl affects the way New Englanders use energy, with last year’s battle between the Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles no exception. All the tell-tale signs of a Super Bowl were there – the slight jumps in demand during commercial breaks, the spike at halftime and a slight bump at the end, as party-goers returned home.

An event as large as the Super Bowl syncs up the actions of the majority of people in New England, and because of this, electricity consumption spikes and dips throughout the game. Over the years, Super Bowl load curves have formed consistent patterns, showing upticks in demand that coincide with half-time, commercials, and the end of the game. These spikes are unique to the Super Bowl and happen because people likely are taking actions that increase electricity use, such as using the oven or microwave, opening up refrigerators, and water systems across the six states operating at virtually the same time—for all the obvious reasons! When the Patriots play, these spikes and dips are even more pronounced, as more casual football fans find themselves watching the game. Learn more.

As the Pats take the field on Sunday in search of their sixth Super Bowl ring, ISO New England system operators will be keeping an eye on demand, making sure the region has the power it needs for kickoff, half-time, and any late game heroics.

You can follow along with these spikes and dips in real time on the ISO homepage, in ISO Express, or on our mobile app ISO to Go.