Power resources at necessary levels to handle peak summer demand, report finds

Resources to deal with the summer heat are at or above the levels needed in most areas across the continent, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) 2019 Summer Reliability Assessment reported.

The assessment concludes that most regions have enough electricity and power resources to handle peak demand during the summer.

“The landscape for summer 2019 looks similar to 2018 with more than enough anticipated resources and reserves to assure the reliable operation of the bulk power system in most assessment areas,” John Moura, director of NERC’s Reliability Assessment and Technical Committees, said. “As the transformation of the resource mix continues, the real-time operation of the system in all seasons presents opportunities and challenges in managing assets with a diverse set of operating characteristics.”

There were some trouble spots, though. Natural gas supply from interstate natural gas supply pipelines alone is insufficient to meet the needs of electric generators on summer peak load days in Southern California. Thus, withdrawals from the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility would be necessary to ensure adequate fuel for area generators.

Additionally, shortages in resources with upward ramping capability create the potential for operational risks during peak load periods in the California Independent System Operator area. Electric supply transfers from neighboring areas may be needed to maintain reliability during late afternoon.

Further, the assessment said elevated risk for wildfires in the western United States and parts of Canada poses a localized risk to bulk power system reliability.