August 19, 2005—Midway through a hot, humid summer, electric grid operators across much of the country have managed increased demand for power by coordinating their efforts to ensure reliability and maintain system performance, according to the independent system operators.
Grid operators responsible for managing the flow of wholesale power across the Eastern Interconnection—an area that stretches from the Rockies to New England and from Arkansas to Manitoba—have all reported record levels of electricity usage during this summers extreme heat and high humidity.
The grid managers credit coordinated efforts with their own members and with other independent system operators, or ISOs, for their continued ability to meet high demand and to maintain system performance and reliability.
During daily conference calls, representatives of grid operators along the Eastern Interconnection discuss the days outlook and share data regarding projected peak demand for power within each system. In addition, numerous operating agreements between ISOs have improved coordination, particularly at seams along the borders of neighboring systems.
Under the agreements, the ISOs share critical operating data relating to the management of reliability and relief of congestion within their respective systems. The ISOs also share day-today planning data to ensure that each grid operator can recognize and manage the effects of its operations on adjoining systems.
For more information, visit the Midwest ISO Web site.
