When widespread extreme temperatures or severe storms cause energy use to spike, it can strain the power grid, making it more vulnerable. PJM, the transmission grid operator for 13 states and the District of Columbia, oversees the grid that includes AEP Ohio’s service territory. That’s why PJM sometimes proactively asks AEP Ohio and other utility companies to request that their customers conserve energy.
That happened two years ago this month, and AEP Ohio’s customers responded to the call. Your actions, and the actions of others across PJM’s footprint, helped keep the lights on. As we return to the coldest months of the year, we’re sharing how AEP Ohio works with PJM every day to keep your power flowing and the grid safe.
What Is PJM?
- PJM is a nonprofit entity that coordinates with utility companies to monitor and direct the flow of electricity across its 13-state region, which includes Ohio.
- PJM is the balancing authority for the power grid: They hold the primary responsibility for balancing generation and customer demand. Power is generated at more than 1,400 generation plants, which then flows across 88,000+ miles of high-voltage transmission lines to meet the demand of more than 65 million customers.
- When that power reaches our distribution lines, AEP Ohio is responsible for delivering it to our customers.
- As power usage across the region changes throughout the day, PJM tells power producers how much energy to supply to meet demand.
- At the same time, PJM is also working with transmission owners — like our parent company, American Electric Power — to ensure high-voltage transmission lines and equipment are working correctly.
How We Work With PJM
- AEP Ohio and PJM are in constant communication. High-tech systems monitor the flow of power and help make plans for severe weather events.
- During times of high demand, PJM could ask utility companies like AEP Ohio to request that customers conserve energy to protect the grid.
What Triggers an Energy Conservation Request
PJM constantly monitors the weather and other situations that may increase demand for electricity across its footprint. These predictions — called load forecasting — help electric companies like AEP Ohio anticipate high demand and adjust to ensure enough power is available.
In late December 2022, extremely cold weather with windchills reaching -30 degrees meant customers were using a lot of electricity to stay warm. The subfreezing temperatures also made it difficult for some power plants to operate at their full capacity, creating a concern that there may not be enough energy generated to meet demand. This potential lack of supply prompted PJM to call for energy conservation across its region.
The Four Types of Notifications PJM Issues
What Customers Can Do
In an emergency, electric companies may have only minutes to act to prevent long, widespread outages. This may prevent us from contacting you before emergency grid protection outages begin. Our promise to you: We’ll communicate with you as soon as possible through text alerts, social media, automated phone calls and local news. You can help us by ensuring your contact information is current at AEPOhio.com/Account. Consider signing up for outage and restoration notifications at AEPOhio.com/Alerts.
I understand what you are telling us but I have concerns. This happened a few summers ago and my area was without power for 3 days. It was awful but survivable. I’m not so sure about the winter. Will you spread any outages throughout the 13 state area so everybody only has a minimal amount of time w/o heat? A few hours is bearable but any longer is dangerous.
Roberta, PJM would determine and direct where any possible outages are needed in this kind of situation.
Right down our road in Jackson on 776 are trees laying power lines for the last three years that could be removed that are holding these dead trees up. Not sure AEP knows the power lines in such a state are there. It’s in a small area where a cluster of trees are right on the side of 776.
Hi Francis, thanks for reaching out. A member of our forestry team will be contacting you to get more information on where exactly this is located. You can also contact them directly through the form on our website or via email or phone at 614-883-6987.