The alerts follow a report released last month that predicted that parts of the country would face difficulties meeting electricity demand during the summer.
PJM Interconnection, which manages the electricity system serving 67 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia, has issued emergency energy alerts amid expectations that hot summer weather will drive up power demand, the company said in a June 22 update.
The 13 states are Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
PJM issued two alerts: a maximum generation alert and a load management alert.
“PJM issues a Maximum Generation Emergency Alert a day in advance of conditions that may require all generators to operate at their maximum output capability,” the update stated. “This alert does not require any action from customers.”
PJM said the generation alert is directed at transmission and generation owners, who then determine whether any maintenance or equipment testing can be deferred or canceled. By deferring maintenance, “the units stay online and continue to produce energy that is needed,” the regional transmission organization stated.
The alert also acts as a notification for neighboring regions receiving electricity from PJM-covered areas that such exports could be curtailed.
The load management alert notifies the public that PJM may declare load management action, including emergency demand response programs, if necessary.
These programs pay customers who reduce their electricity usage during emergencies.
PJM is expecting electric loads to hit 160,000 megawatts on June 23, exceeding the company’s summer forecast peak energy use of 154,000 megawatts.
On June 19, PJM issued a hot weather alert for its entire service area between June 22 and June 25 in response to an expected heat wave. Temperatures are forecast to exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period, driving up electricity demand, it said.
A June 23 alert issued by the National Weather Service predicts an “extremely dangerous heat wave” this week in the eastern half of the United States.
“Extreme HeatRisk impacts will expand from the Midwest into the Mid-Atlantic today. This level of HeatRisk is known for being rare and/or long duration with little to no overnight relief, and affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration,” the alert stated.
