The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently released its 2024-2025 Winter Reliability Assessment report, which assessed that all areas of the grid have sufficient resources for normal winter conditions and that freezing temperatures could impact the delivery of natural gas supplies. With the potential for energy disruptions, utilities can take steps now to enhance their power resilience.
The report notes that power utilities “have improved winter readiness,” and that energy availability is expected to be reliable under normal winter conditions. However, many parts of the bulk electric power system still face a risk of energy shortfalls under extreme winter conditions extending over a wide area. Additionally, NERC is concerned about the potential for freezing temperatures to impact delivery of natural gas to power generation plants. According to the report, “concerns over natural gas production issues during cold weather events remain in the Eastern and Western Interconnections. As one reporting assessment area has noted, there is (outside of Texas) little to no information to indicate that upstream gas producers, gatherers, and processors have improved winterization of their operations.”
Natural gas producers, however, pushed back on that assessment. The Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA) said in a statement that its members “take a multitude of proactive measures to prepare for winter weather so that we can provide safe and reliable service to our customers.” Still, the NGSA’s winter outlook predicts higher prices in response to colder winter temperatures, creating additional pressure on the energy sector. NERC’s Winter Reliability Assessment report also includes recommendations to reduce the risks of energy shortfalls on the bulk power system. Access the full report at NERC or read a related article at Utility Dive.
Preparedness and Resilience Information:
To help mitigate potential disruptions from power outages, utilities are encouraged to reassess their electricity needs and take steps to enhance their operational resilience.
In addition to the “Power Resilience Guide,” EPA has created an incident action checklist for power outages and a brochure for tips on generator preparedness. Critical infrastructure organizations can also greatly enhance their power resilience and operate during outages by building a microgrid at their facility. According to a recent article in Water Online, “microgrids can be configured to use existing onsite generation such as diesel generators, but you can also reduce the cost and use of fossil-fuel generators by incorporating renewable energy alternatives.”
A few years ago, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory organized a workshop that identified barriers between sectors and created strategies for increasing coordination and integrated planning between water and electric utilities. That study can be accessed here.
Utilities can also utilize the Interruption Cost Estimate (ICE) Calculator, which helps entities estimate the economic impacts of power interruptions. Furthermore, CISA’s “Resilient Power Best Practices for Critical Facilities and Sites” offers guidance and discusses power resilience in regards to the all-hazards threat landscape. Lastly, utilities can apply for grants, like FEMA’s BRIC program.
