A new report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) warns that much of North America faces a high risk of energy shortfalls this summer due to extreme weather. The assessment indicates that prolonged heat waves, exacerbated by climate change, are likely to drive up electricity demand for cooling, straining power grids in several regions.
Specifically, areas including California, Texas, the Midwest, and parts of Canada are highlighted as being particularly vulnerable. The Midwest is at risk due to increasing electricity demand and planned generator outages, while California and Texas face potential issues from extreme heat and potential for wildfires impacting transmission lines. Canada’s British Columbia and Alberta are also facing potential energy deficits.
NERC stresses that these regions may need to rely on emergency procedures like importing power from neighboring areas or implementing public appeals to reduce electricity consumption. They also emphasize the importance of grid operators maintaining situational awareness and coordinating resources to mitigate the impacts of these potential shortages. The report attributes the increased risk to a combination of factors including growing electricity demand, the retirement of traditional power plants, and the increasing reliance on variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather-related-power-outages-expected-155131290.html