As temperatures climb higher during the steamy days of summer, the demand for electricity also increases. That’s why AEP Ohio prepares for peak demand seasons by working year-round with PJM, our regional grid operator, to monitor the supply and demand for electricity across our service territory.
Prepared for Peak Demand
While the National Weather Service is predicting a hotter-than-normal summer, PJM expects to have sufficient generation capacity to meet the typical peak demand, which it had predicted to be just over 154,000 megawatts (MW) for its 13-state region that includes Ohio. Just a few days into summer, PJM actually served a peak load of 160,526 MW on June 23 and predicted a load of 161,000 MW on June 24.
What This Means for You
AEP Ohio will keep customers informed if PJM issues requests for energy conservation or grid protection measures. We’ll reach out through:
- social media
- text alerts
- automated phone calls
- emails
- local news media
Make sure we have your current contact information and verify that you’re signed up to receive notifications by visiting AEPOhio.com/Account.
As a last resort, PJM may tell AEP Ohio and other utilities in its territory to initiate emergency power outages to protect the grid. PJM may provide AEP Ohio with as few as five minutes’ notice to reduce energy use (or “shed load”) via emergency power outages. AEP Ohio will always do our best to provide customers with advance warning before such emergency grid protection outages are implemented.
If we are required to begin emergency outages and if grid conditions allow it, we will attempt to limit the length of time customers are without power by moving or “rolling” the outages to different parts of the grid for short durations, then moving the outages to the next group of customers and restoring those who were out previously.
Our Commitment to Safety and Reliability
AEP Ohio’s equipment is designed and maintained to operate safely and effectively under all weather conditions, including extreme heat. Should outages occur, we have line, tree and support personnel stationed at over 40 service centers across the state, ready to respond safely and promptly.
How to Conserve Energy This Summer
AEP Ohio encourages customers to use energy wisely, especially during the warmer months. If PJM directs us to call for energy conservation, we may ask you to take steps to reduce your energy use and help prevent potential outages. Two of the biggest things you can do are:
- Adjust your thermostat: Increase the temperature on your thermostat to 78 degrees or whatever is safe and comfortable for your household. Every degree makes a difference.
- Limit large appliances: Avoid using large appliances (especially those that produce heat) like ovens, washer or dryers during the hottest parts of the day.
How Does Demand Response Play a Role?
In the event of an extreme scenario prompting record demand for electricity, PJM will first call on utility companies’ demand response programs, like AEP Ohio’s Power Rewards. These programs incentivize customers who have opted in to reduce their electricity consumption during system emergencies, helping to stabilize the grid and avoid outages. Learn more or sign up at AEPOhio.com/PowerRewards.
What is PJM? You may know but if you are trying to communicate spell it out. Annoying.
Cynthia, PJM is the independent system operator (ISO) and regional transmission organization (RTO) for an area that spans all or part of the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland (the name “PJM” comes from these three states that formed the original core), Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, a small part of Tennessee and the District of Columbia.
I have been using my washer, dryer and dishwasher at night instead of during the day. Your suggestions makes a lot of sense. I rent and I just have a wall air conditioner which does a poor job of cooling down my bedroom because of the way the unit was mounted in the living room and the poor insulation around my windows. I may have to get some kind of cooling fan for my bedroom to stay comfortable at night, even though I don’t want to. But I try to save electric in every way I can. Thank you for all your doing to provide us with electric. Your team does a great job keeping the electric on in my area (Hilliard OH). Keep up the great work. God bless you.
What’s PJM?
Hi James. PJM is the independent system operator (ISO) and regional transmission organization (RTO) for an area that spans all or part of the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland (the name “PJM” comes from these three states that formed the original core), Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, a small part of Tennessee and the District of Columbia.
Better late than never, I guess, but a bit disappointing to have AEP Ohio sending this out July 1, when the PJM web site (https://insidelines.pjm.com/june-24-update-maximum-generation-alert-extended-to-june-25/) had posted the following last week:
PJM Serves Highest Peak Electricity Demand in Over a Decade
PJM served a preliminary hourly integrated peak load of 160,526 MW between 5 and 6 p.m. Eastern on June 23. This exceeds PJM’s summer forecast load of 154,000 MW and is the highest demand recorded on the PJM system since 2011.
PJM’s record summer peak load is 165,563 MW, which was set in 2006. One megawatt can power about 800 homes.
As of June 24, PJM is expecting to serve a forecasted load across the RTO of approximately:
161,000 MW on June 24
155,000 MW on June 25
148,500 MW on June 26
One megawatt can power about 800 homes.
Contracted Demand Response Programs Used in Mid-Atlantic and Dominion Regions To Meet Customer Load
PJM declared a Pre-Emergency Load Management Reduction Action around 1 p.m. on June 23 for its Mid-Atlantic and Dominion regions, calling on contracted demand response programs to provide additional resources for the power grid.
These demand response programs compensate residential, commercial and industrial customers who have opted in to reduce their electricity use when dispatched. All participating customers have agreed in advance to the terms of these programs with their energy providers.
PJM noted in its summer outlook the possibility that these demand response programs would be needed to serve electricity demand.
Around 1 p.m. on June 24, PJM declared a Pre-Emergency Load Management Reduction Action for activation between 3–4:30 p.m. throughout the PJM footprint to provide additional resources for the power grid.
June 25 update: PJM also declared a Pre-Emergency Load Management Reduction Action around 1 p.m. on June 25 for its Mid-Atlantic and Dominion regions for activation at 3 p.m.
Hot Weather Alert In Effect Through June 26
PJM has also extended a Hot Weather Alert for its entire service area, which was initially scheduled to expire June 25, through Thursday, June 26.
A Hot Weather Alert is a routine procedure PJM issues ahead of forecasted 90-plus-degree weather and/or high humidity to prepare transmission and generation personnel and facilities for expected increases in electricity demand, or load.
Thanks for calling this out, Jon. You are correct and we have updated our story to reflect that PJM’s initial estimated peak summer demand has already been surpassed.
Basically, this being the USA, the poor neighborhoods on the grid will get blackout’d first, repeatedly and most often for the longest periods. The rich neighborhoods using the most electricity, owning stock in AEP and PJM and/or with personal and political ties to AEP and PJM will be little affected if at all. Just another corporate scam to charge more for less.
Request information on the Wi-Fi thermostat program
Hi Patty. Thanks for your interest in the Power Rewards program. Please visit AEPOhio.com/PowerRewards to sign up. This program does require a compatible thermostat. If you don’t have one, please visit our marketplace at AEPOhio.com/ShopSmart to review and purchase one that fits your needs.
Turning off the power at random times is the opposite of reliability, unless your commitment is to these tech monopolies, and not to us. I saw this coming when they started buiding they giant data/AI centers here, and AEP was scrambling to build transmission lines and substations. Build some generation capacity and keep my lights on. I will not miss sleep to run a washing machine at midnight so you can keep Amazon/Google/Facebook running. This is the fourth power outage this year in my area. No amount of sweet talk can make this look like reliable electric service. And no, you’re not going to fiddle with my thermostat to balance your inadquate supply.