PJM called on demand response resources across different portions of its footprint to maintain reliable system operations through unusually warm September weather and necessary outages for both generation resources and transmission.
PJM activated its Pre-Emergency Demand Response and Emergency Demand Response customers across different portions of the PJM footprint the afternoon of Sept. 17 to increase reserves on the system for the evening peak. Demand Response programs pay customers in advance who sign up to allow reduction of their electricity use when called on.
A Maximum Generation / Load Management Alert also remains in effect for the PJM region. This 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 generating units and transmission equipment stay online and in-service and continue to produce/deliver energy that is needed to serve electricity demand within the PJM region.
The alert is also used to notify neighboring systems that electricity exports from PJM may be curtailed, which PJM is expecting to do on Sept. 17.
Above-normal temperatures are forecast across much of the PJM footprint, with load expected to peak at approximately 132,000 MW (forecast as of noon, Sept. 17).
The higher temperatures are driving higher electricity demand in PJM while also increasing the need for exports to neighboring systems to the south and west, where the weather is even hotter.
PJM is currently in outage season. Typically, both transmission and generation facilities perform maintenance and construction from mid-September through December so they are fully available to service peak loads during extreme weather. PJM has recalled or canceled transmission and generation outages to the extent possible, but approximately 36,000 MW in outages remain, in addition to transmission outages.
Pre-Emergency Demand Response was called in all but the ComEd and Mid-Atlantic Zones. Additional Emergency Demand Response was called for BGE, PepCo and Dominion zones.
Additional Actions
PJM also requested and received a combined emergency order, to be effective through Sept. 18, from the U.S. Department of Energy. The order gives PJM operators additional flexibility to respond to changing system conditions by:
- Providing temporary relief from environmental permit restrictions for generating units
- Authorizing PJM to direct data centers and other large load customers to switch to backup generation resources, if necessary
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).