Month: July 2023

PJM Interconnection LLC has declared a level one emergency for the 13-state eastern US grid and called on all power plants to operate at full capacity Thursday during a heat wave.

The largest US grid issued an Energy Emergency Alert level one, meaning it is concerned about being able to maintain adequate power reserves on July 27 as consumers and businesses turn up their air conditioners amid scorching heat. PJM has ordered all power plants to be online and for consumers enrolled in demand-response programs to be ready to curtail their electricity usage to keep power supply stable, according to a notice late Wednesday.

As extreme temperatures strain electric grids in the U.S., many parts of the country could face blackouts. Solar energy can help protect the grid during extreme heat, but it comes with the added cost of increasing climate waste and decreasing efficiency. Photo illustration: Xingpei Shen

A deadly heat wave is spreading across the U.S., bringing record-breaking temperatures to some states and affecting millions of people. WSJ’s Jennifer Hiller breaks down how the heat can impact our power grids.