The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has issued its 2024 Summer Reliability Assessment, highlighting that some U.S. regions may face electricity supply shortages if demand exceeds expectations or if electricity generation falls short. However, under typical summer conditions, NERC anticipates sufficient power resources for the continental United States.
No High-Risk Areas, but Elevated Risk in Specific Regions
No areas in the assessment received a “high risk” classification, signifying no expected outages under normal summer conditions. However, several regions face an elevated risk of shortages during periods of extreme summer conditions, including parts of California, the Southwest, the Midwest, Texas, and New England.
Heat Waves and Power Grid Challenges
Electricity demand surges during heat waves as homes and businesses ramp up air conditioning usage. This increased demand, coupled with the potential for power plant outages and reduced output due to heat-related issues, can strain the power grid.
Moreover, widespread heat waves can restrict the normal flow of electricity as it’s needed to meet heightened local demand. Transmission limitations can arise from overheating risks, natural disasters like wildfires, and insufficient capacity to transport energy to where it’s most needed.
Impact of Energy Resource Transitions
NERC also underscored concerns about maintaining adequate resources for peak demand. The retirement of baseload generation and the increasing reliance on variable resources like solar and wind, which have a less predictable generation pattern, have contributed to these concerns.
Preparedness and Mitigation
While the overall outlook for the summer is positive, the elevated risk in certain regions emphasizes the importance of preparedness and mitigation strategies. Efforts to enhance grid resilience, promote energy efficiency, and explore innovative solutions can help address these challenges and ensure a reliable electricity supply even under extreme conditions.
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has issued its 2024 Summer Reliability Assessment, highlighting that some U.S. regions may face electricity supply shortages if demand exceeds expectations or if electricity generation falls short. However, under typical summer conditions, NERC anticipates sufficient power resources for the continental United States.