Grid operators across much of the U.S. are monitoring power demand levels this week as soaring temperatures blanketed the country.
ISO New England
ISO New England on June 23 said that it was monitoring system conditions as hot, humid weather drives higher consumer demand for electricity across the region.
While the anticipated demand would be the highest seen this year, it would be in line with the ISO’s forecasts for the summer, and the ISO projects adequate supplies of electricity in the coming days, it said.
Temperatures were expected to reach the upper 90s in Boston and Hartford, the region’s two largest centers of electric demand, on June 24, before tapering to more moderate temperatures later in the week.
As of the morning of June 23, ISO New England was forecasting the following peak electric loads:
• Monday, June 23: 23,920 megawatts (MW)
• Tuesday, June 24: 25,310 MW
• Wednesday, June 25: 23,130 MW
ISO New England said its system operators are well-trained to handle increased seasonal demand, unexpected generation loss, or transmission outages should they come to pass this week or any other day.
System operators will continue monitoring conditions and have tools and procedures available to mitigate grid concerns if needed, it said.
On the evening of June 24, ISO New England said it issued a Power Caution for the region after the unexpected loss of generation left the region short of the resources needed to meet both consumer demand and required operating reserves.
Declaring a Power Caution allows ISO system operators to take additional steps, including utilizing reserve resources, to balance electricity supply and demand.
The ISO also declared an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) Level 1, the lowest of three alert levels.
A Power Caution is not an emergency, and the ISO is not requesting conservation. It is, however, a signal conditions on the system are tight and ISO system operators are taking additional actions to ensure power system reliability.
Alerts like this are part of the ISO’s operating procedures and are available for operators to call upon when needed.
Vermont public power utility Burlington Electric Department on June 23 issued a peak alert for June 24, as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched during summer 2017, encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on June 24.
The purpose of the Defeat the Peak program is to reduce our energy costs by reducing usage during a peak event.
BED said Burlingtonians can lend a hand by taking the following steps on what was projected to be an unusually hot summer day:
1. Raise thermostat temperatures or turn off air conditioners between the hours of 5:00pm and 8:00pm before returning air conditioners to cooler settings;
2. Wait until after 8:00pm or later to use washing machines, clothing dryers, dishwashers, and other appliances;
3. Turn off non-essential lights until 8:00pm and later;
4. Avoid charging electric vehicles until after 8:00pm (or until 10:00pm if you are on BED’s special off-peak charging rate); and
5. Delay other discretionary electric consumption until after 8:00pm.
BED called the peak alert due to extreme regional temperatures. The New England region reaches peak demand for electricity during the summer. A significant portion of BED’s costs as a utility is determined by how much energy our community is using during the summer peak.
Two more traditional incentives for Burlingtonians who take peak day actions include: potential reductions in utility costs that help keep electric rates low and stable; and environmental benefits that come with reduced energy demand on the regional electric grid, which decreases the need for use of polluting oil and natural gas generators around New England.
A more unique and innovative incentive introduced by BED based on customer input is a community reward opportunity through which a local nonprofit – in this case the Richard Kemp Center – will benefit from a $1,000 contribution from BED if customers hit the targeted amount of load reduction on a peak alert day.
With high temperatures forecasted for this week, Burlington has activated neighborhood cooling centers through Tuesday, June 24.
“We are excited to continue Defeat the Peak for our ninth year, focusing on reducing energy use and cost for Burlington customers,” stated Darren Springer, BED General Manager.
“It is important to note that Defeat the Peak is not related to grid reliability. Rather, BED can save money for all of our customers and protect our environment by reducing energy use during peak events and lessening our contribution to peak energy demand,” he said.
“We want our customers first and foremost to stay safe during this heat wave and to utilize City cooling centers as needed. We also ask that, where possible, customers take small steps such as unplugging phone and laptop charging cords, adjusting thermostats a few degrees, and waiting until after the peak to run dishwashers and other appliances. With your help, we can continue to hit our peak reduction targets, and we will be able to support the Richard Kemp Center with its important work in Burlington and throughout Vermont.”
BED also notifies customers by email blast about peak day alerts.
PJM
PJM Interconnection issued an additional Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert for June 24, as intense heat continues throughout the PJM footprint, to ensure the reliable delivery of electricity for customers across 13 states and the District of Columbia.
The alert is targeted at transmission/generation owners who then determine if any maintenance or testing on equipment can be deferred or canceled. By deferring maintenance, the units stay online and continue to produce energy that is needed.
The alert is also a procedural step that serves to notify neighboring regions that exports of electricity outside of the PJM footprint may need to be curtailed, and they should plan accordingly.
PJM issues this alert at the same time as a Load Management Alert, which gives advance notification that load management action may be declared, including non-Emergency and Emergency Demand Response. Demand Response programs pay customers in advance who sign up to allow reduction of their electricity use in emergencies.
PJM served a preliminary peak load of over 143,000 MW on June 22.
As of June 23, PJM is expecting to serve a forecasted load across the RTO of approximately:
• 161,000 MW on June 23
• 160,000 MW on June 24
• 155,000 MW on June 25
• 148,500 MW on June 26
PJM issues a NERC EEA Level 1, or EEA-1, in conjunction with a Maximum Generation Alert. NERC defines an EEA-1 as when a grid operator foresees or is experiencing conditions where all available resources are committed to meet electricity load, firm transactions and reserve commitments, and is concerned about sustaining its required contingency reserves.
PJM declared a Pre-Emergency Load Management Reduction Action at approximately 1 p.m. on June 19 for the Atlantic City Electric, Baltimore Gas & Electric, Delmarva Power, Dominion, Jersey Central Power & Light, MetEd, Penelec, PECO, Pepco, PPL and PSE&G transmission zones, calling on contracted demand response programs to provide additional resources for the power grid.
These demand response programs compensate residential, commercial and industrial customers who have opted in to reduce their electricity use when dispatched.
All participating customers have agreed in advance to the terms of these programs with their energy providers.
Additionally, PJM has extended a Hot Weather Alert for its entire service area, which was initially scheduled to expire June 25, through Thursday, June 26.
A Hot Weather Alert is a routine procedure PJM issues ahead of forecasted 90-plus-degree weather and/or high humidity to prepare transmission and generation personnel and facilities for expected increases in electricity demand, or load.
PJM on June 24 extended the Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert to June 25 as hot weather conditions continued throughout the region PJM serves.
Midcontinent ISO
Meanwhile, the Midcontinent ISO on June 23 said that due to the hot weather and high demand, it has issued an EEA1 (Energy Emergency Alert 1) for its North and Central Regions.
This step allows operators to access additional generation to increase the supply of electricity.
New York ISO
The high voltage, bulk electric system is prepared to meet expected demand during the forecasted heatwave, the New York Independent System Operator said on June 20.
“Based on current conditions, the NYISO expects an adequate supply of electricity will be available to meet demand through the coming period of hot weather,” said Aaron Markham, Vice President of Operations for the New York Independent System Operator. “NYISO operators work closely with power producers, utility companies, and neighboring grid operators in advance of extreme weather events to assess the status of generating and transmission capacity.”
According to NYISO’s latest summer readiness assessment, 40,937 megawatts (MW) of power resources are available to serve load across the state. If necessary, NYISO operators can dispatch up to 3,159 MW through emergency operating procedures to maintain reliability during next week’s heatwave.
In July 2013, New York recorded a record peak of 33,956 MW at the end of a week-long heat wave. Peak demand is a measurement of the average total electric demand by consumers for a one-hour period.
As of Friday, June 20, the forecasted baseline peak demand for next week is as follows:
• Sunday, June 22: 27,280 MW
• Monday, June 23: 30,700 MW
• Tuesday, June 24: 31,170 MW
• Wednesday, June 25: 28,020 MW
NYISO recently enhanced its online System Conditions page which incorporates a new grid alert system to communicate when energy supplies drop below certain thresholds and conservation measures may be necessary.
NYISO is continuously monitoring conditions and taking actions to meet demand. If conditions are forecasted that could negatively impact reserve margins of supply, additional communications may be issued.
