PJM gets emergency approval to curtail data centers, large loads during hot weather
Utility Dive • • business
Key Points:
- The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order allowing PJM Interconnection to curtail data centers and other large loads with backup generation for up to three days starting May 18 due to hot weather and planned power plant maintenance outages.
- PJM expects less than 5,800 MW of reserves during the May 18 peak, with Maryland and Virginia facing particular stress from unseasonably hot conditions and over 40 GW of power plants offline for maintenance.
- The curtailments are a last resort before rolling blackouts and target large energy consumers with backup generation to reduce grid stress and maintain reliability and public safety.
- The DOE highlighted that backup generation at large facilities, including data centers, remains largely untapped during emergencies and its deployment can prevent blackouts, saving lives and reducing costs.
- PJM has also issued alerts for high demand and activated demand response programs in parts of the Mid-Atlantic to manage transmission constraints and preserve generator run-time amid the hot weather forecast.