update: 4:00 p.m.
SPP has downgraded the energy emergency alert (EEA) to a Level 1. This is declared when all available resources have been committed to meet obligations, and SPP is at risk of not meeting required operating reserves.
SPP previously declared a move from EEA Level 3 to EEA Level 2 at 11:30 a.m. Central time.
SPP’s forecasts anticipate that due to high load and persistent cold weather, it is likely its system will fluctuate between EEA levels over the next 48 hours.
Original story:
As extreme cold weather persists across a large segment of the U.S. electricity use is exceeding demand in the Southwest Power Pool. The grid that serves a portion of 13 states and North Dakota began relying on required reserve energy on Monday. North Dakota electricity consumers are served by two regional transmission lines: SPP and Midwest Independent System Operators (MISO). S-P-P has directed member utilities to implement controlled interruptions of service to prevent outages.
One of the systems impacted has been Moorhead Public Service. The rolling blackouts started about mid-morning in areas of Moorhead and will go until further notice.
Verendrye Electric members experienced rolling blackouts earlier today because of a strain on the power grid in several states. The company serves areas around Minot.
East Grand Forks Power and Light officials say they receive power through two main sources and do not anticipate any problems at this time.
Xcel Energy’s utilities in North Dakota are part of the MISO grid and have not experienced any controlled outages. The company says they do not have “specific asks of customers” at this time.
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Meanwhile….Xcel Energy is reported two separate outages in south Grand Forks impacting less than 200 customers late this morning. The outages were reported shortly before 11:00 a.m. They are not related to the rolling outages.
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