Regional grid operator PJM Interconnection implemented winter readiness steps for its member utilities, including Delmarva Power, and says it’s prepared to meet electricity demand.
PJM, the grid operator in 13 states and the District of Columbia expects to have more than 181,000 megawatts to meet the peak demand of approximately 137,000 megawatts, plus an average forecast of just under 4,000 megawatts of electricity exports to neighboring systems. The system should also remain reliable under more extreme and less likely scenarios involving lower levels of gas and/or renewable generation, higher electricity demand or increased exports, a release stated.
PJM weathered a short spell of extreme weather nearly a year ago. However, natural gas-powered power plants, in particular, struggled with reduced fuel supplies that led to the possibility of blackouts. Wind and solar power sources fared well during the storm.
On a related note, PJM and generating plants agreed to a $1.2 billion settlement over performance issues related to the December cold snap. Among the suppliers agreeing to the deal is Calpine, which operates gas-powered generating plants in Delaware. A holdout was Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, which supplies Greenwood-based Delaware Electric Cooperative.
PJM has also taken heat as it sorts through a growing backlog of wind and solar projects, some with financing and others that may never become a reality.
At the same time, PJM has warned that coal-fired plants are being retired faster than replacement generation coming online. The system advised, and the owner accepted a plan to keep Delaware’s remaining coal-fired plant in operation as the grid is strengthened in anticipation of its closing. Ratepayers are absorbing the added costs for the plant, which is no longer competitive with natural gas.
In 2023, PJM added winter readiness measures. The measures were implemented as a result of lessons learned from recent extreme weather events, including the above-mentioned Winter Storm Elliott in December 2022, when the grid was stressed with outages in an adjacent area.
“PJM has further strengthened winter preparations focused on grid reliability for the 65 million people we serve,” PJM CEO Manu Asthana said. “The actions we have taken have improved communications with generators, increased accountability for generator reporting and testing, and laid the foundation for market changes that will further incentivize reliable generator performance.”
PJM’s Winter Storm Elliott Event Analysis (PDF) included 30 separate recommendations. PJM and its stakeholders have made a number of improvements to rules and processes regarding generator performance and overall cold weather reliability, both in the short term and in the long term.
Generators are also reporting specifics of cold weather preparedness and operations to PJM as a result of new requirements this season introduced by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), including identifying and taking corrective actions for equipment that failed during Winter Storm Elliott or may be at risk of failing under similar conditions, a release noted.
Still, a Winter Reliability Assessment for the 2023–2024 season found that a large portion of the North American bulk power system – including PJM – is at risk of insufficient electricity supplies during extreme peak winter conditions, based in part on the failure rate of generators during Winter Storm Elliott. This was preceded by similar failures that hit a Texas grid that was not geared for extreme temperatures.
Michael Bryson, Sr. Vice President – Operations, said all of PJM’s work with stakeholders was aimed at making that scenario unlikely.
“The experience from Winter Storm Elliott last year provided a number of valuable lessons learned for both PJM and generation owners,” said Bryson. “Going into this winter, we have more information at our fingertips, and we have acted together to improve generator preparation, communication, scheduling and performance.”
In 2023, PJM and the Independent Market Monitor developed and published guidance for generators (PDF) on how best to provide timely and accurate information about their operating parameters and availability during periods of natural gas pipeline operating restrictions.
