A proposal to adjust the time-keeping systems to reduce emissions – A case study on USA

The integrated power grid in USA is the largest in the world with the highest hourly power demand. In 2019, the highest hourly demand was more than 704 GW and the lowest hourly demand was less than 340 GW. The average daily variation in hourly demand is about 40% with respect to the highest hourly demand. A mathematical model is used to reduce the differential between peak and off-peak electrical power demand in this territory. The reduction is achieved with 5 time zones set up across US 48 states such that time difference between Far East and Far west is 4 hours. For the territory of US 48 states, it is demonstrated that the differential between peak and off-peak electrical power demand is reduced by 3% to 12%. This paper attempts to quantify the reduction in cycling of Natural Gas thermal power plant operation and emissions with restructuring of time zones in US 48 states.