Power grids under pressure: US areas at risk of summer power outages

Power outages aren’t something most people think about until they happen. And when they do, it can be incredibly inconvenient, especially when you’re trying to cool your home during the hot summer months. For people working from home, the risk of losing network connection can also be a serious problem. That’s why you need to find out if you’re in one of the areas of the U.S. that will be at increased risk of power shortages this summer, according to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s seasonal grid reliability assessment.

The report identifies regions in North America that may experience grid reliability issues due to either too little energy supply or too much demand. While this year’s summer grid outlook is better than last year’s, some areas of the United States remain at increased risk of power shortages and outages in the event of unexpected extreme heat events.

These areas could experience power outages “in the event of a once-in-a-decade heat wave,” said Mark Olson, manager of reliability assessments at NERC.

NERC says much of the Midwest, New England and the region from California to Louisiana are at risk during higher-than-normal peak demand. There is also a higher risk in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, Canada.

Probability of a power outage in your area

There are fewer areas affected than in last year’s summer reliability report. The report found that the continued addition of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power to the grid has helped meet energy demand in some areas of the United States. Utility-scale battery resources also helped boost reserve margins during peak times.

“There was a lot of solar energy coming into the system,” Olson said. “We have maintained more capacity in some areas that have been a concern in the past, which has helped ensure all areas have the resources to support normal peak conditions as demand increases.”

The network is at risk for various reasons and in various places. Retiring natural gas generators in New England could lead to reduced energy efficiency. Insufficient solar and wind production during times of peak demand may also cause some reliability issues in the states of Texas, California, the Southwest, and the Midcontinent. Extreme heatwaves make it difficult to transmit power from other areas.

Here are the states that NERC says are at increased risk: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada , North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin.

Power outages have become more frequent in recent years, although the peak in 2020 was lower than in 2020. According to available data, the average U.S. household experienced an outage in 2022, the most recent year for which data is available power supply for five and a half hours. Energy Information Administration. More than half of this time was due to “major events”, usually extreme weather conditions.

The NERC report focuses on the risk of energy demand being exceeded. Air conditioning may be a major demand on the grid, and AC demand continues to grow. April 2024 was the warmest April on record and the 11th consecutive month in which records were set. It is likely that 2024 will be warmer than the historical average, after 2023 was the hottest year humanity has ever seen.

This is thanks to climate change, which is fueled by the burning of fossil fuels for energy. To avoid the worst effects of a warming planet, the world must rapidly transition to zero-emission and renewable energy sources.

Climate change is partly to blame for the strain on the grid that has increased the risk of power outages this year. Some preparation may help.

Ways to prepare for power outages

If you live in a high-risk area or a place prone to severe weather and natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes, preparing for a power outage may pay off. Having a few essentials on hand will make you safer and more comfortable when the power goes out.

Make sure you have enough non-perishable food and water on hand to get you through an extended break from work. Prepare a first aid kit. Make a note of your utility company’s emergency number and the location of local cooling or heating stations in case an outage occurs during a heatwave or bitter cold.

Having flashlights and batteries on hand will make dark nights more bearable. A portable power plant (add portable solar panels for a solar generator) or backup generator can replace at least some of the lost electricity. (If you run a generator, make sure you do so safely.) Rooftop solar panels and a backup battery can provide power to part of your home – or all of it, if you install enough batteries.

Emerging technologies may make it easier to remove the effects of weather conditions in the future. Microgrids – groups of buildings that can operate together or separately from the grid – would remain powered during a wider blackout. Bi-directional charging from electric vehicles, which is not yet widely available, would allow you to use the energy stored in your car to power your home.