NERC’s 2024 Summer Reliability Assessment Highlights Elevated Risk to North American Power Grid

Earlier this month, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) released its 2024 summer reliability grid assessment, warning that some areas of the continent face elevated risk of energy shortfalls due to a number of factors. Water and wastewater utilities are encouraged to review the report to help enhance their power resilience efforts.

NERC’s 2024 Summer Reliability Assessment (SRA) finds that a large part of North America remains at risk of supply shortfalls, while other areas show reduced risk due to resource additions. In particular, NERC identified seven areas facing an “elevated risk” of shortfalls due to rising demand, extreme weather events, generator retirements and unplanned outages, drought, and the potential for low wind performance. Those areas include portions of Texas, California, New England, and the Midwest. All regional power grids are assessed to have adequate supply for normal peak load and conditions. This is partly due to the addition of 25 GW of new solar capacity since last year. Additionally, the SRA finds high temperatures forecasted throughout the summer could increase stress on the power grid, while ongoing drought conditions in some areas are also expected to influence electricity supplies. Relatedly, WaterISAC recently reported that power outages from extreme weather events across the U.S. are increasing. Read the full report at NERC or read a related news article.

Preparedness and Resilience Information:

With the potential for power disruptions over the summer months, utilities are encouraged to reassess their electricity needs and take steps to enhance their operational resilience.

To start, members can review EPA’s “Power Resilience Guide,” which offers utilities information and strategies to help strengthen relationships with their electric providers and increase their resilience to power outages. EPA also has an incident action checklist for power outages and a brochure for tips on generator preparedness. In addition, a few years ago, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory organized a workshop that identified barriers between sectors and created strategies for increasing coordination and integrated planning between water and electric utilities, that study can be accessed here.

Utilites can also utilize the Interruption Cost Estimate (ICE) Calculator, which helps entities estimate the economic impacts of power interruptions. Furthermore, CISA’s “Resilient Power Best Practices for Critical Facilities and Sites,” offers guidance and discusses power resilience in regards to the all-hazards threat landscape. Lastly, utilities can apply for grants, like FEMA’s BRIC program, and build a microgrid for their facility.