PJM is the Transmission System Operator that covers the Mid Atlantic area, along with some slices of midwestern states. Expected to strain due to warm weather this week, during a time when utilities have historically had lower demand, and make plans for scheduling needed maintainence on generating units.
If that maintenance is not done, could set the stage for problems when polar vortex season arrives.
PJM has issued a Maximum Generation Alert and Load Management Alert for Oct. 13 ahead of expected tight system conditions caused by unusually warm fall weather and planned equipment outages required for maintenance and construction.
This alert does not require any action from customers.
PJM also has a Capacity Advisory in place for Oct. 12–14 and issued a Maintenance Outage Recall for Oct. 14, in addition to an emergency order received by the DOE.
A Maximum Generation Alert notifies transmission and generation owners, who then determine if any equipment maintenance or testing may be deferred or canceled. By deferring such actions, units and transmission lines stay operational to serve demand. The alert also notifies neighboring grid operators that exports from PJM may be curtailed, a procedural step that allows them to plan accordingly.
Generation outages are expected to be approximately 62,000 MW through the affected period, in addition to key transmission outages both for maintenance and to allow for major transmission construction projects.
Total generating capacity within PJM is about 182,000 MW.
As of 4 p.m. Monday, forecasted electricity demand, or load, for the affected period is:
— Monday – 103,125 MW
— Tuesday – 112,447 MW
— Wednesday – 112,282 MW
These numbers are subject to change and will be updated.
This alert does not require any action from customers.
Capacity Advisory
PJM also has a Capacity Advisory in place for Oct. 12–14 and issued a Maintenance Outage Recall for Oct. 14, in addition to an emergency order received by the DOE.
Issued up to five days in advance, a Capacity Advisory anticipates PJM actions such as:
— Recalling or rescheduling of generation and/or transmission maintenance outages
— Notifying neighboring grids to prepare for decreased imports from PJM
— Alerting PJM Members to update their information about generator availability, fuel supply concerns, environmental constraints and more.
Emergency procedures took place as above-normal temperatures are forecast across much of the PJM region.