NERC, FERC give summer reliability picture, highlighting concerns in Southern California

摘要

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission raised the possibility last week of rolling blackouts in Southern California this summer, although reliability experts were more circumspect in their outlook for the peak season but still expressed concern because reserve margins could shrink to as low as 3% there. Dave Andrejcak of FERC's Office of Electric Reliability reported that higher-than-forecast temperatures, coupled with major equipment outages, "could result in rolling blackouts." The North American Electric Reliability Corp. said earlier in the week that the US summer outlook in general is good, but Southern California's situation is tight, with the 3% margin possible under certain conditions. But NERC did not go so far as to predict blackouts. California's grid operator may have to use emergency operating conditions, NERC said.