PJM Interconnection, the organization responsible for coordinating wholesale electricity movement across 13 states and the District of Columbia, has issued alerts in response to the ongoing heat wave. These alerts serve as early notifications that additional procedures might be necessary due to system conditions.
To cope with the surge in demand for electricity needed to cool down homes and businesses, PJM extended its maximum generation alert/load management alert through Friday. Additionally, its hot weather alert, currently in effect, has been extended to Saturday for the mid-Atlantic and southern regions.
On Thursday, PJM reported a preliminary peak load of approximately 148,000 megawatts. The company currently forecasts a peak of around 155,000 megawatts for Friday.
Interestingly, PJM’s alerts come after their initial prediction of sufficient supply to meet summer electricity needs. In May, they reassured the public that their assessment showed readiness to maintain reliability during the summer. However, they also acknowledged the possibility of more extreme scenarios resulting from “extraordinary electricity demand and high generator outages.” PJM has now incorporated these extreme scenarios into their models, taking into account the lessons learned from Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
Despite these challenges, PJM remains committed to ensuring electrical reliability during this heat wave.
