The PJM Interconnection has issued a Hot Weather Alert for its entire service area for June 22–25 ahead of an expected extended heat wave. PJM serves a footprint that includes all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia.
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.
Temperatures are expected to exceed 90 degrees for an extended period, which drives up the demand for electricity.
Additionally, PJM has issued a generator maintenance outage recall.
Under the recall, generators that have been taken out of service for scheduled maintenance have 72 hours to end maintenance outages to increase the amount of generation available to meet customer demand throughout the heat wave.
As of June 19, loads are forecasted to reach approximately 158,000 MW on Monday, June 23, and Tuesday, June 24, which exceeds PJM’s summer forecast peak energy use of 154,000 MW. Sunday, June 22, is currently forecasted to reach a load in the mid-140 GW range.
The National Weather Service has predicted hotter-than-normal conditions this summer, especially in the Atlantic seaboard states.
PJM’s record summer peak is 165,563 MW, set in 2006. Last year, PJM’s summer peak was approximately 152,700 MW. PJM has approximately 179,200 MW of generation capacity this summer, as well as approximately 7,900 MW of contracted demand response.
A dedicated team of operators uses sophisticated technology to balance supply and demand and direct the power grid 24/7 from PJM’s control rooms, it said. They prepare multiple potential scenarios that could be impacted by weather, emergency conditions or equipment failure.
They adjust resource output with changes in demand and ensure that no transmission lines or facilities are overloaded. The team also watches for unusual conditions and reacts to them to protect the electricity supply.
