PJM has extended a Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert to July 30 as hot weather conditions continue throughout the region PJM serves.
PJM has also extended a Hot Weather Alert to July 30. These alerts 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 30. The alert serves as a procedural step that allows those neighboring regions affected to 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.
The Maximum Generation 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.
A Hot Weather Alert, Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert are currently in effect for July 29.
As of 2 p.m. July 29, PJM expects to serve the following approximate peak loads on Wednesday and Thursday (numbers are approximate):
- July 30: 152,500 MW
- July 31: 134,000 MW
Contracted Demand Response Programs Implemented on July 28 and 29
PJM declared a Pre-Emergency Load Management Reduction Action early in the afternoon on July 28 for activation near the evening peak for the Baltimore Gas and Electric, Pepco and Dominion 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.
PJM noted in its summer outlook the possibility that these demand response programs would be needed to serve electricity demand. Read more about PJM’s emergency procedures and messages (PDF).