PJM Ready To Provide Power To Withstand Hot Summer Ahead

Higher consumer use expected

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May 13, 2014, 04:22 ET

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- PJM Interconnection, operator of the nation's largest power grid, is prepared with enough resources to power air conditioners to the 61 million people served by the power grid. This summer is forecasted to see 1.3 percent higher energy use over last summer's projection, with 157,279 megawatts at its peak. One megawatt of electricity is enough to power 800 to 1,000 homes.

Last summer's forecasted peak was 155,553 MW, however due to hotter than normal temperatures, the actual peak reached 157,141 MW.

"Our experience with extreme seasonal weather and conditions over the past couple of years has helped us to better prepare for hot summers the one we expect this year," said Michael J. Kormos, executive vice president – Operations. "With a number of transmission enhancements completed since last summer and resources available, we're confident we're ready."

PJM has 183,220 MW of installed generation capacity, meaning all possible generation available to use. In addition, PJM expects to have about 10,600 MW of demand response, which represents load that is willing to interrupt in the event of a system emergency. The generation and demand response provide PJM with a reserve margin of 25.4 percent, well above the required 16.2 percent margin.

The highest peak use of power was 165,492 MW in July 2011. Peak use of power for those served by PJM typically occurs in the summer. Separate records are tracked for winter months. This past winter, PJM had eight of its 10 highest use days in January and set a new record for overall winter peak demand at 141,846 MW on January 7.

PJM Interconnection, founded in 1927, ensures the reliability of the high-voltage electric power system serving 61 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 62,556 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.