PJM has issued a Hot Weather Alert for Aug. 5 for its Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions ahead of expected hot and humid weather. A Hot Weather Alert is currently in effect through the end of the day Aug. 2 in these same regions.
A Hot Weather Alert is a routine procedure PJM issues ahead of forecasted 90-degree weather and/or high humidity in order to prepare transmission and generation personnel and facilities for expected increases in electricity demand. Temperatures are expected to exceed 90 degrees, which drives up the demand for electricity.
PJM currently expects to serve a peak load of approximately 144,830 MW on Aug. 5.
The highest preliminary peak load that PJM has served so far this summer was about 153,400 MW and occurred on July 16. PJM’s all-time, one-day highest power use was recorded in the summer of 2006 at 165,563 MW. One megawatt can power about 800 homes.
The Mid-Atlantic Region is made up of the Atlantic City Electric, Baltimore Gas and Electric, Delmarva Power & Light, Jersey Central Power & Light, Met-Ed, Penelec, PECO Energy, Pepco, PPL Electric Utilities, PSE&G, and Orange & Rockland (Rockland Electric Company) transmission zones. The Southern Region is made up of the Dominion transmission zone.
Predicting the demand for electricity helps procure an adequate supply of power today and in the years ahead. Making these predictions – called load forecasting – is a job PJM does routinely, for both short- and long-term periods, to help acquire an adequate supply of power for reliable service at the most reasonable cost. 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.