Original article: FERC’s Christie calls for dispatchable resources after grid operators come ‘close to the edge’
Five Short Bullet Points
- Grid Strain: PJM, MISO, and ISO-NE narrowly avoided blackouts during extreme heat, with PJM hitting a 161 GW peak, 5% above forecast. Truth comment: PJM, MISO, and ISO-NE serve about half of the United States with electricity.
- Dispatchable Need: FERC Chairman Christie emphasizes the critical need for reliable, dispatchable resources like gas, coal, and nuclear, as renewables falter during peak demand. Truth comment: Dispatchable power is on demand, when you need electricity generation. As apposed to wind and solar that are part-time non-on demand power. We need on demand power to keep the lights on all the time.
- Demand Response Key: PJM’s 4,000 MW demand response was vital in reducing load, highlighting load flexibility as a crucial grid tool. Truth comment: this is code for limiting supply of electricity when demands are high. Like shutting off your air conditioning when it gets very hot. Or stopping industries from using electricity. When electricity is in short supply prices go through the roof. We all pay for this.
- Resource Shortage: Christie warns the U.S. isn’t building or retaining enough generation, risking deadly blackouts in future heatwaves. Truth comment: without enough on demand electricity generation we will have shortages. Particularly when it is very hot or cold.
- Policy Shift: Christie suggests mandatory reserve power targets for utilities to ensure grid reliability amid tightening margins.