Preparing for variables

LOWER PROVIDENCE » There have been a lot of changes and uncertainty for businesses and residents over the past couple of months, due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

As summer approaches, residents and businesses want to be assured that when they need electricity — it is there.

PJM Interconnection, which operates the nation’s largest electric grid, says it has the resources available and is prepared to meet summer demand for customers in 13 states and the District of Columbia — including Pennsylvania.

While summer doesn’t officially begin for several weeks, temperatures across the region have already flirted with 80 degrees with higher humidity. The National Weather Service is forecasting above-average temperatures this summer for almost the entire PJM footprint, including the Mid-Atlantic states and parts of the South and Midwest.

“The summer is normally when electricity use is at its highest, and along with our members, we prepare for summer operations throughout the year,” Manu Asthana, PJM president and CEO, said in a press release. “Although the coronavirus pandemic has brought new dynamics for us to consider in our forecasting and operational preparedness, we’re confident that we will be able to meet customer needs.”

System operators at PJM have forecast electricity use to peak at approximately 148,000 MW this summer — a level they say they are prepared to meet. Last summer’s peak demand was over 151,000 MW, which occurred on July 19. PJM’s all-time, one-day highest power use was 165,563 MW in the summer of 2006 at 165,563 MW. One megawatt can power about 800 homes.

A “peak” refers to the highest demand for electricity the system will experience in one day. During the summer months, demand typically rises during the day, peaking later — when people are using more electricity to power up air conditioners, fans, appliances and lights.

“We already have the capacity in place — that is planned three years ahead. So we are using the summer forecast that we first published in January of about 148,000 peak this summer,” Susan Buehler, a spokeswoman for

PJM Interconnection said Friday in an emailed response to questions.

Unknown at this point according to the grid operator, is how the continuing pandemic will affect peak load this summer as air conditioning use evolves among residential, commercial and industrial customers.

So far, the pandemic-related restrictions introduced in midMarch have driven down peak demand, with closures of commercial, industrial and institutional power users offsetting the increased electricity use by people working from home.

“The pandemic has changed a lot of things at PJM — how we work, how we keep our campus and control room safe, and how people use electricity. At the same time, it has not changed the way we plan for summer and the demand that hot weather brings,” Buehler said, adding that peak energy use has been down about