NERC reports sufficient energy resource capacity for winter 2020-2021

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reports sufficient resource capacity to meet winter energy demand throughout North America.

NERC’s 2020–2021 Winter Reliability Assessment analyzed severe weather scenarios that incorporated generation outages under peak load conditions. The report indicated particular reliability risk in areas within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the Canadian Maritimes, Texas, the Rocky Mountain Reserve Group, and the Northwest Power Pool. It also states that vital natural-gas fuel supplies for electricity generation can be at risk in New England, California, and the southwestern United States during extreme and prolonged winter conditions.

“Winter conditions challenge grid operators in many parts of North America. Our assessment looks at expected peak demand and the ability of the area resource mix to provide that demand under harsh winter conditions,” Mark Olson, manager of Reliability Assessments, said. “Overall, industry takes winter reliability risks very seriously. Our extreme weather scenarios help stakeholders prepare for situations where winter conditions threaten resource adequacy, potentially forcing grid operators into emergency actions like demand curtailment.”

While the assessment found sufficient capacity resources, fuel, and energy assurance risk remain a reliability concern. Also, it points out that extreme weather continues to pose a risk to bulk power system reliability. Also, it notes that the ongoing pandemic is causing increased uncertainty in electricity demand projections and presents cybersecurity and operating risks.

NERC’s Winter Reliability Assessment examines multiple factors that collectively provide deep and unique insights into reliability risk. These factors include resource adequacy, encompassing reserve margins, and scenarios to identify operational risk, fuel assurance, and preparations to mitigate reliability concerns.