FERC, NERC to Examine Grid Performance During January Cold Snap

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and NERC’s Regional Entities have initiated a joint performance review of the bulk power system during the cold weather events during January, which included a multi-day polar vortex that impacted majority of the U.S. with colder weather from January 19-24.
During the cold weather event, the bulk power system functioned without any major incidents, with no major fuel system interruptions impacting electric generation. Despite the cold weather having minimal impact on power operations, an assessment by the organizations is expected to provide new learnings and help reevaluate actions already in place, in order to enhance winter readiness in future years.
The polar vortex refers to a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles which is always present during the winter. It’s somewhat common for parts of this low-pressure area to break off and disperse across the U.S.
Heading into the winter period, the NERC’s 2024–2025 Winter Reliability Assessment found that many parts of North America could face an elevated risk of energy shortfalls under extreme conditions despite regulatory and industry initiatives that have improved winter readiness. The primary risks stem from challenges in natural gas production, limited regional pipeline capacity, particularly in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, as well as strong load growth outpacing the expansion of dispatchable resources and retirements of thermal generation units. In comparison to Winter 2023-2024, no regions were highlighted as having elevated risk of energy deficits in extreme weather conditions and all regions were projected to have sufficient resources under normal winter peak load conditions.
The review will delve into the electric and gas industries’ winter preparation actions and find any noteworthy changes made since FERC and NERC finalized cooperative examinations into Winter Storms Uri (2021) and Elliott (2022) as well as any further prospects to improve winter operations.
A summary of the review is expected to be discussed at a FERC open meeting in the spring. A report is expected to follow thereafter.
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