Hot weather in Oklahoma and surrounding states prompted the Southwest Power Pool grid to issue an advisory about anticipated increased demand for electric use.
The SPP launched the Resource Advisory for the West Balancing Authority area on Wednesday, explaining it will be in effect until Thursday, May 14.
Temperatures in Oklahoma are expected to reach the 90s in the next few days and it’s possible there could be 100 degree weather in southwest Oklahoma.
Resource Advisories are still considered normal operating conditions, and do not require the public to conserve energy or take any action, but are issued to raise awareness of potential threats to reliability among entities responsible for operating transmission and generation facilities,” as stated by the SPP, the grid headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The SPP is a regional transmission organization: a not-for-profit corporation mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure reliable supplies of power, adequate transmission infrastructure and competitive wholesale electricity prices on behalf of its members in 17 states. SPP ensures electric reliability across a region spanning parts of the central and western U.S., provides energy services on a contract basis to customers in both the Eastern and Western Interconnections, and is developing a day-ahead energy market in the west: Markets+.
SPP’s East BA area remains under normal operating conditions. Find a map of SPP’s East and West BA areas here.
- This Resource Advisory in SPP’s West BA area is being declared due to the potential for higher than normal loads and outages, forecasts of possible severe hot/cold temperatures, and wind forecast uncertainty. This means demand could potentially be higher than expected due to more people using electricity during peak hours. Supply could potentially be lower than normal due to planned outages. Forecasts indicate severe hot/cold temperatures in some areas, which cause greater load, especially if they take place during peak hours. Forecasts are also uncertain regarding wind output.
- 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.