2023-09-07 12:35:20
Extreme heat poses a significant risk to power grid reliability, prompting grid operators to implement robust alert systems to warn operators and customers of potential infrastructure stresses. During heat waves, the demand for electricity increases as high temperatures and humidity affect the efficiency of power plants and transmission systems. In the worst case, power outages can occur with potentially serious consequences for affected communities.
The seven Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) in the United States have their own alert systems to address extreme heat conditions. California Independent System Operator (CAISO) uses Flex Alerts, notifying customers to reduce non-essential electricity use when demand begins to exceed available generation. This proactive approach helps prevent power outages and avoid emergency measures like rotating power outages. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) uses a similar method, issuing energy conservation requests through the public news media during extreme heat events.
While CAISO and ERCOT issue alerts for customers, other RTOs focus primarily on notifying plant and distribution operators of concerning events. The North American Electricity Reliability Corporation (NERC) sets reliability standards and issues Energy Emergency Alerts (EEAs) during extreme heat events. These alerts indicate the level of tension in the network, which varies from EEA 1, where all available resources are used to meet the demand, to EEA 3, where a power outage occurs.
Different RTOs incorporate NERC’s EEA framework into their own alert systems. Some RTOs, such as the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), have specific watches for severe weather conditions, while others, such as New England’s ISO-NE and New York’s NYISO, focus on cold weather or thunderstorms, respectively. MISO and PJM specifically categorize hot weather as an alert, triggering enhanced reporting and coordination procedures to ensure maximum capacity stays online.
In contrast, CAISO and ERCOT do not have weather-specific warning systems. Its alerts focus on the condition of the network, with any mention of weather conditions included in the description. However, these RTOs carry out actions similar to others, such as postponing maintenance and coordinating the availability of generating units.
Overall, the impact of extreme heat on the power grid underscores the importance of reliable and transparent warning systems to manage voltage, protect infrastructure, and minimize disruption to customers.
Fuentes:
Sustainable FERC ProjectNorth American Electricity Reliability Corporation
Definitions:
Electricity network: Electrical energy distribution system that allows electricity to be carried from the generating plants to the final consumers. Alert: Notification or notice to warn of a risk or danger situation. Heat waves: Prolonged periods of high temperature. Demand for electricity: Amount of electrical energy required by consumers at a given moment.Power plants: Facilities where electricity is produced from different energy sources, such as coal, natural gas or renewable energy.Transmission systems: Infrastructure that allows carrying electricity from power plants to distribution centers.Power Outages: Interruptions in the supply of electricity.Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs): Agencies responsible for coordinating the transmission of electrical energy in a given region.Flex Alerts: Systems alerts used by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to notify customers regarding the need to reduce electricity consumption. Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT): Organization that is in charge of coordinating the transmission of electricity in the state of Texas. North American Electricity Reliability Corporation (NERC): Organization charged with establishing reliability standards for the North American electrical grid. Energy Emergency Alerts (EEA): Alert levels established by NERC to indicate voltage in the electrical grid during extreme events.Southwest Power Pool (SPP): Organization responsible for coordinating the transmission of electricity in the southwestern United States.ISO-NE: Abbreviation of Independent System Operator New England, organization in charge of coordinating the transmission of electricity in the region of New England.NYISO: Abbreviation for New York Independent System Operator, the organization responsible for coordinating the transmission of electricity in the state of New York.MISO: Abbreviation for Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the organization responsible for coordinating the transmission of electricity in the center of the United States.PJM: Abbreviation of Pennsylvania–New Jersey–Maryland Interconnection, organization in charge of coordinating the transmission of electricity in the region of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.
Fuentes:
– Sustainable FERC Project
– North American Electricity Reliability Corporation
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