PJM has issued a Hot Weather Alert and Maximum Generation Alert for its 13-state and D.C. footprint for July 25 as hot weather continues throughout the region it serves.
The Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert (always issued together) do not require any action from customers.
PJM is issuing the Maximum Generation Alert mainly to notify neighboring systems that electricity exports from PJM may be curtailed on July 25. The alert serves as a procedural step that allows those neighboring regions affected to plan accordingly.
The alert is also 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.
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.
A Hot Weather Alert and Maximum Generation Alert are currently in effect for the PJM region for July 24.
Additionally, PJM issued a generator maintenance outage recall on July 18, requesting for all maintenance outages to be returned to service by July 23 in order to increase the amount of generation available to meet customer demand. The generator maintenance outage recall is expected to remain in place through the middle of next week when temperatures are projected to moderate.
As of noon on July 24, PJM expects to serve a peak load of over 151,000 MW on July 24 and a peak load of over 152,000 MW on July 25.
PJM’s record summer peak is 165,563 MW, set in 2006. On June 24 this summer, PJM served a preliminary peak of over 162,000 MW, the third-highest peak load in its history.
PJM has approximately 179,200 MW of generation capacity this summer, as well as approximately 7,900 MW of contracted demand response. Demand Response programs pay customers in advance to have their electricity use automatically reduced in times of system stress.
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. 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. Read more about PJM’s emergency procedures and messages (PDF).