PJM, Members Ready For Winter With Ample Resources

Weak La Niña could bring colder winter temperatures

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Nov 29, 2017, 11:26 ET

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Nov. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PJM Interconnection, which manages the high-voltage power grid for 65 million consumers in 13 states and Washington, D.C., and its members are ready with sufficient resources to meet forecasted demand for electricity this winter.

"Mild or severe weather, no matter what the winter brings, we are prepared and expect to have more than enough power available to meet consumers' demand for electricity," said Michael E. Bryson, vice president – Operations. "The key to our confidence is our members' preparation efforts and track records of reliable performance."

Each year, PJM analyzes the expected demand for electricity, weather predictions and other factors to develop its forecast for the season's operations. This year:

A weak La Niña is expected to develop, leading to a colder winter than the last two years.
Southward shifts in the polar vortex caused unusually cool weather this past August. If this trend continues, the risk of periods of arctic cold will be greater.
Precipitation is expected to be above average for the Great Lakes region and below average to the south.

PJM also worked with generation owners on cold weather preparedness, a fuel inventory survey, resource testing and a drill for emergency procedures. Communication and coordination between PJM and natural gas pipelines continues regularly throughout the winter. The cold weather exercises allow units to identify and correct start-up, operational and fuel-switching issues prior to cold weather operations.

PJM expects to have 184,926 megawatts of electric resources to meet the forecasted peak demand of 135,526 MW. Last winter, with milder-than-average temperatures, the winter peak of 130,689 MW was set on Dec. 15, 2016. PJM's all-time winter peak is 143,295 MW, set on Feb. 20, 2015.

PJM Interconnection, founded in 1927, ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system serving 65 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM coordinates and directs the operation of the region's transmission grid, which includes over 82,000 miles of transmission lines; administers a competitive wholesale electricity market; and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion. PJM's regional grid and market operations produce annual savings of $2.8 billion to $3.1 billion. For the latest news about PJM, visit PJM Inside Lines at insidelines.pjm.com.