Grid operator PJM extends alert to generating plant operators

This alert does not require any action from customers. The grid operator is seeing the strongest electricity demand in more than a decade.

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 electricity. The alert also  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's region includes Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic as well as portions of the Midwest.

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 i  customers in advance who sign up to allow reduction of their electricity use in emergencies.

PJM served a preliminary hourly integrated peak load of 160,526 MW between 5 and 6 p.m. Eastern on Monday. This exceeds PJM’s summer forecast load of 154,000 MW and is the highest demand recorded on the PJM system since 2011.

PJM’s record summer peak load is 165,563 MW, which was set in 2006. One megawatt can power about 800 homes.

PJM is expecting to serve a forecasted load across the RTO of approximately:

• 161,000 MW on June 24
• 155,000 MW on June 25
• 148,500 MW on June 26

Temperatures are expected to be slightly lower on Wednesday and Thursday  One megawatt can power about 800 homes.

PJM extended a Hot Weather Alert through Thursday. A  Hot Weather Alert is a routine procedure PJM issues ahead of 90-plus-degree weather and/or high humidity to prepare transmission and generation personnel and facilities for expected increases in electricity demand.

The region sees peak power demand in the summer months since air-conditioning systems are all-electric. Winter consumption is held down by natural gas and fuel oil heat, but comes with challenges coming  in supplying natural gas to generating sites.