Energy Department Issues Emergency Orders for Mid-Atlantic Power Grid Amid Heat Wave
The order lets PJM tap backup power and extra generation to avert blackouts as demand is forecast to hit 166.3 gigawatts.
- On Thursday, PJM Interconnection, the nation's largest regional grid operator, is forecasting record summer electricity demand of 166.3 gigawatts for Thursday evening, surpassing the 2006 record of 165.6 gigawatts.
- Over 250 million Americans face extreme conditions as a heat wave stretches from the Midwest to the East Coast, with 'feels-like' temperatures expected to reach 100 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit across much of the region.
- Data centers currently consume roughly 4.5 percent of U.S. electricity, while high temperatures reduce coal plant efficiency, according to Nikhil Kumar, program director of Gridlab. "Some coal plants in particular have efficiency issues and capacity losses due to high temperatures," Kumar said.
- The United States Department of Energy triggered an emergency across PJM, while New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the deployment of more than a dozen "cool vans" and opened hundreds of cooling centers for residents.
- Expanding AI infrastructure creates long-term grid vulnerability, as Mishal Thadani, CEO of AI platform Rhizome, noted that data centers require significant energy precisely when grid supply is tightest, with facilities pulling as much power as 100,000 homes.
36 Articles
36 Articles
Heat wave prompts US electrical grid emergency
With 160 million people in 30 states under alert for extreme temperatures, the U.S. Department of Energy has declared an emergency as a heat wave bears down on a huge part of the nation’s electrical grid. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright issued an Energy Emergency Alert, directing officials of the biggest electrical grid, PJM...
Energy Secretary Authorizes Diesel Generator Use As Data Centers Threaten To Overwhelm PJM Power Grid
The U.S. Department of Energy has authorized the nation’s largest electricity grid operator to deploy backup diesel generators at data centers to prevent blackouts during a dangerous heat wave. Energy Secretary Chris Wright signed the order Tuesday, granting PJM Interconnection permission to tap diesel backup generators, battery arrays, and other resources as a last resort to keep the grid stable. PJM’s territory stretches from Washington to Chi…
US heatwave puts 160 million on alert, sparks energy emergency; Mamdani asks New Yorkers to stay indoors
As a heat wave grips much of the US, the Department of Energy has declared an emergency. With 160 million people on alert, Secretary Chris Wright directed electrical grid PJM to prevent blackouts and manage electricity supply, anticipating record peak demand amid rising temperatures.
Energy Department issues emergency orders for mid-Atlantic power grid amid heat wave
As an electric grid operator warns of potential power shortages amid this week’s heat wave, the Trump administration is issuing emergency orders aiming to maximize output. Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued orders directing grid operator PJM to dispatch more power generation from various fossil fuel plants, as needed, despite environmental restrictions that are typically in place. He also…
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