For the second time this month, PJM Interconnections last week had to take extraordinary measures to keep the lights on across its thirteen-state platform.
Energy demand on Wednesday, the hottest day of the week, forced PJM to issue a “Maximum Generation Alert” and a “Load Management Alert”. A Maximum Generation Alert involves canceling or deferring any maintenance or testing of equipment so that it can remain online and keep producing energy. It also notifies neighboring systems that PJM’s energy exports may be suspended. A Load Management Alert gives advance notice that actions may be taken.
PJM also received permission from the U.S. Department of Energy for temporary relief from environmental regulations so that electricity generators could operate at peak capacity.
After reaching its all-time energy demand peak of 168,158 megawatts on July 2nd, PJM needed 164,078 megawatts on Wednesday. That’s the third-highest demand ever.
