Co-ops prioritize preparedness for winter reliability

Ongoing industry efforts to bolster winter reliability have made the grid better prepared

The reliability of the grid remains in the spotlight as electric utilities respond to rising energy demand and fuel supply challenges while enhancing preparedness measures. As member-owned and community-driven utilities, reliable power is a priority for Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives.

Recently, the nation’s grid monitor, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), released a winter reliability assessment that revealed “all areas are assessed as having adequate resources for normal winter peak-load conditions. However, more extreme winter conditions extending over a wide area could result in electricity supply and energy shortfalls.”

Those risks stem partly from growing power demand and the loss of capacity from retired coal-fired and older gas-fired plants around the nation, according to the report.

“Demand for electricity is skyrocketing across America and supply is not keeping pace. This report clearly highlights the need to swiftly implement a pro-energy policy agenda with a focus on affordability and reliability for American families and businesses,” says Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), a trade organization that represents more than 900 electric cooperatives nationwide.

Winter reliability is especially critical due to risks to public health and the safety of utility personnel working in harsh, sub-freezing conditions, says Ted Hilmes, CEO of KAMO Power based in Vinita, Oklahoma.

“Reliability is at the forefront of our efforts 24/7, 365 days a year. Our system is prepared to make sure members have the power they need this winter. Generating plants are winterized, fuel supply and transmission paths are secure and our people are always ready to respond,”  Hilmes says. “Although NERC has forecasted warnings for some areas of the country if severe weather strikes, we are confident in the facets of reliability we have within our control here in Oklahoma.”

According to NERC, ongoing industry efforts to bolster winter reliability – such as the ones conducted by co-ops in Oklahoma – have made the grid better prepared for the coming months.

At generation and transmission Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC), preparation efforts began in the fall.

“WFEC transmission and distribution employees began checking inventory and equipment in preparation for winter weather in late September,” says Gary Roulet, CEO of WFEC based in Anadarko, Oklahoma. “All generation units returned to availability in early December. Winter weatherization plans at each plant are in place and winter fuel hedging plans have been executed. While problems caused by extreme weather events can still occur, our team has prioritized preparedness for the upcoming winter.”

Roulet added WFEC has many long-term power agreements to ensure adequate capacity and reserves for members.

Regional winter forecasts:

Two of three generation and transmission cooperatives that serve Oklahoma’s distribution electric cooperatives, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative and Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, are part of the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), a regional transmission organization. The other generation and transmission electric cooperative, KAMO Power, one of the owners of Associated Electric Cooperative, is a part of the Southeastern Electricity Reliability Council (SERC-Central), a regional reliability organization.

NERC’s assessments for SPP and SERC-Central:

Southwest Power Pool (SPP)

Expected resources meet operation reserve requirements under normal peak-demand scenarios. Above-normal winter peak load and outage conditions could result in the need for operation mitigations (i.e. demand response and transfers) and Energy Emergency Alerts (EEAs). Load shedding (rolling blackouts) is unlikely but may be needed under wide-area cold weather events.

SERC-Central

Expected resources meet operating reserve requirements under normal peak-demand scenarios. A severe cold weather event extending to the south could lead to energy emergencies as operators face shared increases in generator forced outages and electricity demand. Above-normal winter peak load and outage conditions could result in the need for operating mitigations (i.e. demand response and transfers and EEAs. Load shedding (rolling blackouts) is unlikely but may be needed under wide-area cold weather events.