The big chill puts the electric system under tension

Written at the occasion of a cold wave in France in February 2012 with a new peak in electricity consumption, the article first analyses the specific meteorological conditions associated with this event, and then outlines that the massive use of electric heating makes the French system particularly sensitive to temperatures, but also that the peak is also due to the massive use of electric domestic appliances at about 7 p.m. He describes how this peak is faced in terms of energy sources and outlines that there was no risk for grid security. He comments the availability of nuclear and hydroelectric energy, and of other energies (oil, coal, gas), and the margin levels. He finally states that costs of a cold wave are predictable and could be mitigated by supporting the installation of energy-saving or non-electric heating systems