PJM has declared Conservative Operations for Dec. 16–17 ahead of a major winter storm expected to impact much of the region PJM serves.
The declaration is for the PJM Mid-Atlantic region as well as the American Electric Power, Duquesne, FirstEnergy – Allegheny Power Systems, and Dominion transmission zones.
The Mid-Atlantic region includes the Atlantic City Electric, Baltimore Gas and Electric, Delmarva Power, Jersey Central Power & Light, Met-Ed, Penelec, PECO, Pepco, PPL Electric Utilities, PSE&G, and Orange & Rockland (Rockland Electric Company) transmission zones.
Declaring Conservative Operations gives PJM dispatchers more flexibility with system operations in response to the varied winter storm conditions anticipated throughout the PJM footprint. Forecasts call for heavy snow, freezing rain and high winds.
PJM continues to work closely with members to prepare for, and respond to, any potential impacts.
What Happens During Conservative Operations
The need to operate the PJM system more conservatively can be triggered by any number of weather, environmental, physical or cybersecurity events.
During Conservative Operations, system operators have more flexibility to make decisions to maintain reliability. For example, PJM Dispatch reviews and considers recalling or canceling non-critical generation and transmission maintenance outages and may reduce transfers into, across or through the PJM system. These and other potential actions can be taken to increase reserves and reduce power flows on selected facilities.
PJM’s last Conservative Operations declaration occurred in August in response to Tropical Storm Isaias.
Original source: PJM