PJM Ready For Hot Summer Weather Electricity Demand

Resources meet ample reserve margin

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May 23, 2012, 12:29 ET

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PJM Interconnection, the grid operator serving 60 million people, expects to have adequate electricity resources available this summer to handle high electricity demand associated with heavy air conditioning use on hot days. The peak demand for electricity this summer is forecast to reach 153,780 megawatts (MW), assuming normal temperatures, compared to PJM's all-time peak demand of 163,760 MW set during record heat.

PJM has 10,230 MW of demand response and energy efficiency to meet demand and has added this year a total of 5,007 MW of new capacity resources which includes demand response, energy efficiency and generation. The installed generation capacity available this summer to meet forecasted demand is 185,180 MW.

This year, PJM's region includes the addition of Duke Energy Ohio and Duke Energy Kentucky customers. Adjusting for these new member companies, the anticipated load growth between 2011 and 2012 is 1.2 percent, slightly lower than normal once again due to the sluggish economy.

"PJM, with the support of its members, expects to be as ready as we were last year for whatever the summer brings, even if it's just typical summer heat," said Michael Kormos, senior vice president – Operations. "Last summer, we not only met a new record peak for power but kept the high voltage grid stable despite a hurricane, tropical storm and earthquake," Kormos said.

Kormos added that although it is not possible to forecast for the natural disasters and extreme weather conditions that the summer can bring, PJM can make sure there is enough power available for the peak demand for power to be used at one time in the summer. He noted, however, that with a full-time meteorologist on staff, newer weather forecasting technology and key alert systems, PJM is able to get earlier warnings of some events. In addition, each year PJM regularly conducts emergency preparedness drills with its members and participates in industry-wide exercises for responding to weather and security-related threats.

Peak electricity use in the PJM region is driven by high temperatures and economic conditions. PJM's forecast looks at a range of possible conditions to allow for variation in weather conditions. The forecast is based on typical weather conditions on peak use days experienced over the past 38 years. Actual electricity demand will vary as temperatures vary from normal.

PJM Interconnection, founded in 1927, ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system serving 60 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 62,000 miles of transmission lines; administers a competitive wholesale electricity market; and plans regional transmission expansion improvements to maintain grid reliability and relieve congestion. Visit PJM at www.pjm.com.