PJM has issued a Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert for July 24 across its footprint to ensure the reliable delivery of electricity for customers across 13 states and the District of Columbia. This alert does 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 24. 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.
PJM has also issued a Hot Weather Alert for the PJM footprint for July 24, and a Hot Weather Alert is currently in effect for July 23 for its Western Region.
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. As of 1:30 p.m. July 23, PJM expects to serve a load of over 151,000 MW on July 24.
Original Story: PJM Issues Hot Weather Alert for July 24
PJM has issued a Hot Weather Alert for its entire service area for July 24 ahead of expected hot weather.
A Hot Weather Alert is currently in effect for July 23 for its Western Region.
A Hot Weather Alert is a routine procedure PJM issues ahead of forecasted 90-plus-degree weather and/or high humidity to prepare transmission and generation personnel and facilities for expected increases in electricity demand, or load.
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.
As of 9 a.m. on July 23, PJM expects to serve a peak load of around 142,000 MW on July 23 and a peak load of around 151,000 MW on July 24.
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).