The apparent heat and the demand for electricity to power air conditioners prompted the Southwest Power Pool to issue a Resource Advisory effective July 1, from noon until an anticipated end of 9 p.m. central time. The advisory covers the entire 14-states that make up the SPP.
Why the advisory? The SPP indicated it is because of “low variable energy resource (VER) forecast and outage uncertainty.” The power pool has 8 different grid conditions which might prompt advisories and emergencies. The Resource Advisory is ranked third lowest in terms of the seriousness of grid conditions. The lowest is normal conditions and the highest is Restoration Event.
In its announcement, the power grid stated:
- Resource Advisories do not require the public to conserve energy but are issued to raise awareness of potential threats to reliability among entities responsible for operating transmission and generation facilities.
- This Resource Advisory is being declared due to low variable energy resource (VER) forecast and outage uncertainty.
- Individuals should contact their local utility for details specific to their area.
- Generation and transmission operators have been provided instructions on applicable procedures, including reporting any limitations, fuel shortages or concerns.
- To mitigate risks to reliability associated with these factors, SPP may use greater unit commitment notification timeframes, including making commitments before standard day-ahead market procedures and/or committing resources in reliability status.
- SPP will send additional information if necessary.
The following chart shows the relative severity of Resource Advisories:
