One expert warned that early heat waves mean more people are turning on air conditioners and using more electricity, which could lead to problems later in the year.
A combination of high temperatures, severe drought and supply chain problems can cause power outages from Texas Coming to California this summer, North American Electric Reliability Corp. warned in this week’s reliability assessment.
Generation and transportation projects across the United States have been delayed due to “product unavailability, shipping delays, and labor shortages” in recent years, exacerbating the Weather related challenges The power grid has to face.
The sun rises over the towers carrying electric lines in southern San Francisco, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/Getty Images)
The Western Connection, which serves about 80 million people, may see less hydroelectric production due to drought and reduced snow mass.
Shock electric bills for the summer is coming
Texas, which has already seen a Power outage for thousands of Austin residents Earlier this month, it was expected to see above-average temperatures in the coming months, driving up demand and straining energy reserves.
Millions of Texans were left without power during last year’s winter storm, which It resulted in 246 deathsaccording to the Texas Department of Health.
Power lines are seen on February 19, 2021 in Texas, Texas. (Photo by Thomas Shea/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The mid-continent ISO, which Provides energy for people From Louisiana to the Great Lakes, you could see capacity shortages as a result of a 2.3% reduction in generation capacity.
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“The industry is preparing its equipment and operators for challenging summer conditions,” Mark Olson, director of reliability assessments at NERC, said in a statement Wednesday.
“However, severe and persistent drought and accompanying weather patterns are out of the ordinary and tend to create additional pressures on electricity supply and demand. Grid operators in affected areas will need all tools available to keep the system in balance this summer.”
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