As we move into the hottest months of the year, you might hear more about electricity supply and demand. Generating and distributing electricity is a constant, collaborative process and we work with PJM, our regional transmission organization, to monitor the flow of electricity 24/7, 365. Here are ways PJM helps us get power to your home safely and reliably.
Hot Weather Alerts: PJM constantly monitors the weather across its 13-state footprint, including here in Ohio. When they anticipate extreme temperatures that could increase the demand for electricity, they might issue a hot weather alert. PJM routinely makes these predictions – called load forecasting – to help us anticipate high demand and adjust to ensure enough power is available.
PJM is also required to have an adequate amount of generation reserve in place, in case of unforeseen circumstances. Generation reserves are the electricity supplies that are not currently being used but can be quickly available in the case of an unexpected loss of generation. Think of a spare tire – a backup when you need it.
What This Means: These industry alerts help prepare transmission and generation personnel and facilities for extreme heat and/or humidity that may cause strain on the grid. If you hear about a hot weather alert from PJM this summer, there’s no immediate action needed on your part (however, it’s always a good idea to be ready for the unexpected).
Energy Conservation Requests: The energy grid across PJM’s 13-state territory is connected and, if they anticipate a tight supply of electricity in one or more areas, they might put out a call for energy conservation across their entire footprint. When every household and business uses a little bit less power, it can help the electricity supply catch up with demand. Together, these small actions can combine to lower overall demand for electricity and ease the emergency situation — helping prevent power outages.
What This Means For You: If there’s a proactive conservation request from PJM, we’ll ask for your help to reduce electricity usage. Customers should use electricity needed for personal safety and to protect against property damage. They may seem like small things, but turning your thermostat up a few degrees, postponing use of major electric appliances and turning off non-essential lights and equipment can add up to a big difference when millions of people do them.
Emergency Load Reductions: In an emergency situation, PJM may direct us and other utilities to immediately decrease energy use to protect the grid. As instructed by PJM, these emergency outages are a last resort for AEP and require immediate action on very short notice to help prevent longer, more widespread outages. Rotating outages are controlled, emergency power outages that usually last a few minutes at a time and then move to the next area. These brief outages rotate through homes and businesses throughout our service territory until the load reduction target has been achieved. This helps prevent longer outages and minimizes the impact on you as much as possible while protecting the integrity of the grid.
What This Means For You: In a true emergency situation, we may only have minutes to take action to prevent longer, more widespread outages. This may prevent us from contacting you before rotating outages begin. We’ll communicate with you about what to expect as soon as possible through text alerts, social media, phone and local news. Update your communication preferences at AEPOhio.com/Account and enroll in alerts at AEPOhio.com/Alerts.
Calls for conservation and emergency outages are always a last resort but are crucial to the safety and reliability of the grid. We will always do our best to keep you informed and provide frequent updates as quickly as we can.
Please do not charge me for the times the electric is turned off. On my bill each month, I pay 10.00 each billing to help this company to cover your costs for billing your customers, to have your meter readings done,also for your service line maintenance and your equipment. I am sure with all the customers paying 10.00 each billing cycle plus the other money you rake in your company must get millions and millions each month and you still charge us 10.00???
Hi there. Customers are only charged for the electricity they use. They are not charged when the power is not on. If you have specific questions about your account, please call our Customer Solutions team at 800-672-2231 or send us a direct message on social media.
I’m familiar with load shedding. Lived through “snowmageddon 2021” in Texas! The grid situation is real!
Over the past 6 months, the average voltage at my home has declined. It used to be 120 V. Then is slowly dropped until it was usually 118 V. Now, it’s generally 116 V with the occasional dip to 114 V. [Measured by 3 UPS on different circuits. My electric usage has declined over the same period. What’s the reason for this and at what point will the low voltage condition damage my heat pump and refrigerator?
Thanks for reaching out, Ed. Please contact our Customer Solutions team so they can pull up your account and possibly open a ticket to investigate. They can be reached at 800-672-2231 or by direct message on Facebook or X.
What does “PJM” stand for?
Good question, Frances. It stands for Pennsylvania (New) Jersey Maryland. You can learn more about PJM here.
I just want to say thank you for doing such a great job keeping the power on, it is appreciated!
People, this is yet another step to complete control. 🤮
You published good, relevant information. Keep it up. We listen.
I completely agree with the previous customer, I have wondered why I am being charged an additional $10 for customer charge each month. Every time I get my bill I hold my breath wondering what new excess charge has been added. It’s very disappointing!
I’m very nervous that this will be a repeat of a few years ago when my electricity was off for days in a heatwave. Why can’t you do rolling outages? Share the pain. Don’t leave us without electricity for days while others have it. Spread the pain. It was awful!
Hi Ernesta, the Emergency Load Reductions section in the article above describes the process AEP Ohio would use if directed by PJM to reduce the load.
“Rotating outages are controlled, emergency power outages that usually last a few minutes at a time and then move to the next area. These brief outages rotate through homes and businesses throughout our service territory until the load reduction target has been achieved. This helps prevent longer outages and minimizes the impact on you as much as possible while protecting the integrity of the grid.”
We apologize for the outages you experienced a few years ago. June 2022 was a unique situation where we had the power available, but storms had damaged the infrastructure used to deliver it to homes and businesses.
I’m sorry but under no circumstances should anybody’s power be shut off during a heat wave. It’s your responsibility to provide what we pay for. When this happened last year I have pets in the house that were baking in 100°
In 2022 our power was turned off, along with half of Columbus, for 24 hrs. not a few minutes! Try telling the truth!
Christopher, June 2022 was a unique situation where we had the power available, but storms had damaged the infrastructure used to deliver it to homes and businesses. The rotating outages described above were not possible in this situation due to the damaged equipment.
As I am seeing AEP’s article on “Managing the electric grid” regarding PJM’s transmission lines Some of those transmission lines that go through AEP Ohio’s area also goes to Ohio Edison’s area including a transmission line (which might be a PJM transmission line) that connects from an AEP Ohio major substation in southern Stark County off of Orchard View Dr SE south of Canton to an Ohio Edison major substation in Rootstown Ohio in Portage County I think they call it Hanna Substation off of Sandy Lake Rd with a Ravenna Ohio address. Some of those lines from that also goes to an Illuminating Company major substation off of Alexander Rd in Walton Hills in Cuyahoga County I think they call it the Juniper Substation. If I am correct, I think PJM is doing a great job with their transmission line forecast in this case (AEP Ohio mentioned PJM covers 13 states). Prayers that our state of Ohio doesn’t have to deal with more summer severe weather anytime soon. Although I live in Ohio Edison’s territory, I feel AEP Ohio is more reliable and glad that AEP Energy (AEP’s retail energy company) is also available in FirstEnergy Corp’s territories. My father (he is no longer living) had electric experience inside residential homes and an industrial factory he worked at. Prayers to all the AEP workers.