Extreme temperatures are expected to increase the risk of power outages this summer. Two-thirds of North could face power shortages this summer. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) today (June 28) issued a warning, citing an analysis by the North American Power Reliability Corporation, a nonprofit organization company. Most of the Midwestern United States, New England and Ontario are at high risk of power shortages, according to the analysis. When summer temperatures rise abnormally, a surge in electricity demand can lead to energy shortages. People will use a lot of air conditioning, bring more pressure to the power grid. At the same time, extreme heat can reduce the efficiency of power plants, solar and wind farms. The mismatch between supply and demand can lead to power cuts when air-conditioning is most needed to cope with high temperatures. Texas power grid operator ERCOT extended its“Weather watch” until June 30 after last week urging residents to save energy voluntarily. In a news release Friday, ERCOT said the state could break its record for peak electricity demand this week. Texas is more vulnerable to blackouts than other states because it is not connected to the grid in other areas.
For example, other states could share electricity in a pinch, sending hydroelectric power from one rainy state to another arid state. But this summer, with more widespread heat waves, even the interstate-linked grid may be reaching its limits. The western grid, which spans 14 states and parts of Canada and Mexico, tends to share a lot of power. This is particularly helpful in states where solar power is growing, such as California. Until enough batteries are added to the grid, states need alternative energy at night. (so far this summer, energy storage facilities in Texas have played an important role in helping the state avoid blackouts, the Washington Post reported.) . But when many places are in trouble at the same time, it is harder for them to help each other in an emergency. More than 46 million people across the United States are on extreme heat alert today, up from about 29 million late last week. Extreme heat is expected over much of the southern half of the United States in the coming days, with the worst conditions expected in Texas and parts of the southwest. Parts of the southeast have been hit by storms over the past week, and some are still recovering. In the United States, heat has killed more people than any other weather-related disaster, and the threat is expected to grow with climate change.
It is not just the US that is in trouble. Mexico's National Energy Control Center declared a state of emergency last week when temperatures soared above 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius) and triggered record demand for electricity. In India and China, home to more than a third of the world's population, the heatwave has weighed heavily on the power grid since April. ERCOT said turning off lights and appliances would help ease the strain on the grid. So is turning up the air conditioning and closing the blinds to block out the sun. Fans can help with cold air circulation, but they may not be useful if the temperature in the room is higher than your body temperature. Many cities have set up cooling centers where people can find air conditioning to keep safe and healthy.