(RALEIGH) -- All-time high temperature records could be broken this week in many parts of North Carolina.  Utility companies are better prepared these days to handle energy usage spikes during extreme weather such as the heat expected for the remainder of this week.

Jeff Brooks with Raleigh-based Progress Energy said because utilities operate more efficiently now, we don't se rolling blackouts being used to ease the strain on the grid during times like these. "Brownouts, those types of things, are very, very much worse case scenarios and in most utilities around the country you're not going to see those types of situations, because our teams are very good at managing energy use," said Brooks.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for 16 North Carolina counties through Saturday.  Forecasters say relief from the heat should come on Sunday.

(Special thanks to: WWNC)