Computers in power: A welcome invader: Supervisory computer systems cut utility costs by scheduling generating units, planning against outages, and coordinating the sale of power

It's Super Bowl Sunday. Shortly before the championship football game begins, millions of viewers turn on their television sets. On any other Sunday, they might be reading, shopping, or traveling. But today they are all home. Refrigerator doors open, heaters click on, and stoves are lit. The demand for electricity surges.