HOLYOKE, Mass.–()–Under normal weather and system conditions, New England’s electric power
supplies are expected to be adequate to meet regional demand this
summer, according to ISO New England Inc., the operator of the region’s
bulk power system and wholesale electricity markets.
“On the regional level, the outlook for power system operations this
summer is good”
However, reduced and uncertain supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG)
to power generation in the Northeast Massachusetts/Greater Boston area
during the summer could create local reliability challenges to that
portion of the power grid if extreme summer weather conditions, with
high consumer demand, occur or if unexpected resource outages occur.
Under normal weather conditions, all areas of the region’s grid should
have adequate supply.
“On the regional level, the outlook for power system operations this
summer is good,” said Vamsi Chadalavada, executive vice president and
chief operating officer of ISO New England. “To address the concerns
about potential reliability challenges in the Northeast
Massachusetts/Boston area, the ISO is working with local generation and
transmission companies to develop special operating plans that we can
use, if needed, to manage a shortage situation. In addition, the ISO has
briefed the appropriate state and federal authorities and is
continuously monitoring the situation in NEMA/Boston.”
ISO New England has well-established procedures in place to bring the
system back into balance if electricity supplies get tight as a result
of an unexpected resource outage, or if an extended heat wave causes
consumer demand for electricity to spike. These actions could include
calling on demand-response resources to curtail their energy use,
importing emergency power from neighboring regions, and asking
businesses and residents to voluntarily conserve energy.
New England is a summer-peaking system, which means that consumer demand
for electricity peaks during the hot summer months, largely because of
air-conditioning use. ISO New England forecasts that demand could peak
at 27,440 megawatts (MW) under normal summer weather conditions of about
90 degrees Fahrenheit.1 This forecast reflects the impact of
continued slow economic growth on consumer demand. Under extreme weather
conditions, such as an extended heat wave with temperatures of 95
degrees or higher, consumer demand could reach 29,620 MW.2
New England has about 32,800 MW of total capacity that includes
generation, demand resources, and imports from neighboring areas.
Last year, an extended heat wave in the region pushed electricity demand
up to 27,707 MW on July 22, just shy of the all-time record for peak
demand of 28,130 MW set on August 2, 2006. In New England, one megawatt
of electricity can power approximately 1,000 homes.
1 When the impact of passive demand resources
(energy-efficiency measures) is factored in, the forecasted peak under
normal summer weather conditions is reduced to 26,462 MW.
2 When the impact of passive demand resources is factored in,
the forecasted peak under extreme summer weather conditions is reduced
to 28,642 MW.
Created in 1997, ISO New England is the independent, not-for-profit
corporation responsible for the reliable operation of New England’s
electric power generation and transmission system, overseeing and
ensuring the fair administration of the region’s wholesale electricity
markets, and managing comprehensive regional electric power planning.