DOE Issues Emergency Order as Power Grid Strain Hits 13 States
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) this week issued an emergency order directing PJM Interconnection LLC, a power transmission company operating across 13 states including Michigan, to use backup generation capabilities if necessary to maintain the power grid during a period of unusually high demand. The order comes as the grid faces stress from a high rate of planned generator outages during the autumn maintenance season, combined with numerous planned transmission outages that could affect reliability. According to the DOE, the order allows PJM to make major decisions as a last resort before declaring an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) 3 or during an EEA 3—a critical point when electricity supplies are dangerously low. The filing permits PJM to create more pollution than normal to maintain operations and services, highlighting the severity of the situation.nnUnder the order, PJM can dispatch specified units and mandate certain power plants to generate electricity. It also authorizes PJM to direct backup generation resources to operate as a last resort before declaring an EEA 3 or during one. The DOE estimates that more than 35 gigawatts of unused backup generation remains available nationwide, providing a significant reserve to draw upon. Additionally, PJM has the ability to issue a Maximum Generation Alert, which notifies transmission and generation owners who can then decide if services need to be deferred or canceled. According to PJM Inside Lines, such an order can be issued up to five days in advance, and a Capacity Advisory anticipates PJM taking specific actions during this time, such as recalling or rescheduling generation and transmission maintenance outages, notifying neighboring grids to prepare for decreased imports, and alerting PJM members to update information about generator availability, fuel supply concerns, environmental constraints, and more.nnAs of yesterday, the forecasted electricity demand, or load, for the affected period is: Monday – 103,125 MW, Tuesday – 112,447 MW, and Wednesday – 112,282 MW. These figures underscore the heightened demand that the grid must meet. However, none of the advisories indicate that customers need to take any action. In a statement, the DOE emphasized, “While past leaders’ energy subtraction policies have made the grid more vulnerable to the risk of blackouts when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow
Shimanta Das 
