Several U.S. regions may face electricity shortages this summer due to increased reliance on weather-dependent energy sources.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A new report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) warns that several parts of the U.S. are at an “elevated risk” of electricity shortages this summer if demand exceeds normal levels. The 2024 summer reliability report highlights vulnerabilities in regions such as New England, Texas, the Midwest, and the Southwest.
According to NERC’s 2024 summer reliability report, these areas may face electricity shortages if demand peaks above normal levels NERC’s 2024 summer reliability report. The report indicates that while regional challenges differ, large portions of the country could experience blackouts if solar and wind power fail to generate the expected power during periods of high demand and extreme summer weather.
“NERC’s latest reliability assessment shows that our electricity grid is becoming increasingly reliant on weather-dependent sources of electricity, leaving one-third of the country at elevated risk of blackouts this summer,” said Michelle Bloodworth, CEO of America’s Power, a pro-coal advocacy group.
The report identifies some of the nation’s hottest and most populous states, including Texas and California, as being at “elevated” risk. It covers the period from June through September.
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which serves much of the Midwest, could face higher risks if solar and wind resources underperform, according to NERC’s report.
“MISO is expected to have sufficient resources, including firm imports, for normal summer peak demand. However, it can be challenging for MISO to meet above-normal peak demand if wind and solar resource output is lower than expected,” the report reads. “Wind generator performance during periods of high demand is a key factor in determining whether there is sufficient electricity supply on the system or if external (non-firm) supply assistance is required to maintain reliability.”
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which covers nearly all of Texas, also faces significant risks. ERCOT narrowly avoided blackouts during the summer of 2023, when a prolonged heatwave hit the state.
“As a result of continued vigorous growth in both loads and solar and wind resources, there is a risk of emergency conditions in the summer evening hours when solar generation begins to ramp down. Contributing to the elevated risk is a potential need, under certain grid conditions, to limit power transfers from South Texas into the San Antonio region,” the report states. “These grid conditions can occur when demand is high and wind and solar output is low in specific areas, straining the transmission system and necessitating South Texas generation curtailments and potential firm load shedding to avoid cascading outages.”
NERC has previously warned that large parts of the country face higher risks of blackouts during extreme seasonal conditions.
The Biden administration has spent and regulated aggressively to transition the American power grid away from fossil fuels towards renewable sources like solar and wind. Electricity demand is projected to grow rapidly due to policies encouraging electric vehicle (EV) adoption, building electrification, and new semiconductor manufacturing facilities, according to Grid Strategies LLC, a power sector consultancy.