Report Finds Midwest Electric Grid Should Meet Normal Summer Demands; Could Face Shortages During Peak Demand Levels

Friday, June 30th, 2023 -- 8:00 AM

(By Joe Schulz, Wisconsin Public Radio) The Midwest electric grid, which includes Wisconsin, should have enough resources to meet normal summer demands this year, but it could face shortages during peak demand levels from extreme heat events.

According to Joe Schulz with Wisconsin Public Radio, that's according to the North American Electric Reliability Corp., or NERC, a utility watchdog that releases a summer reliability report each year. Its 2023 report found that two-thirds of North America is at risk of energy shortfalls this summer during periods of high demand.

That includes the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO, which manages the grid across Wisconsin and 14 other states. NERC says North America’s elevated risk outlook is driven by a combination of coal plant retirements, a possible spike in energy use and reduced reliability due to extreme heat.

"Increased, rapid deployment of wind, solar and batteries have made a positive impact," said Mark Olson, NERC’s manager of Reliability Assessments, in a statement. "However, generator retirements continue to increase the risks associated with extreme summer temperatures, which factors into potential supply shortages in the western two-thirds of North America if summer temperatures spike."

The report says MISO’s risk of being unable to meet reserve requirements is lower this summer compared to 2022, but there's potential that energy reserves may not be able to meet demands during extreme heat events.

Wind energy output will be key to meeting normal summer peak demand and more extreme demand levels, the report said. That means low wind and high demand could result in more energy emergencies.

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