AXIOS (Rebecca Falconer) - Why the U.S. grid's extreme heat problem is changing
Solar energy and batteries are making it easier for utilities to meet surging electricity demand during extreme heat , but prolonged high temperatures are exposing other vulnerabilities in the grid. Why it matters: Electricity demand rises as air conditioners work harder in extreme heat, while high temperatures can make parts of the system less efficient and put additional stress on equipment. The big picture: Climate change is extending periods of extreme heat just as electrification and data centers add new loads, leaving parts of the grid working harder for longer. Between the lines: Michael Webber, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Texas at Austin, tells Axios that grid operators face a "triple whammy" under…
Why might extended winter cold pose a greater resource-adequacy challenge than summer heat?
Rob Gramlich states that electric heating can drive up demand on cold mornings at a time when solar output is low and batteries may have fewer opportunities to recharge.
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What does Rob Gramlich suggest utilities may need to do to address vulnerabilities in local distribution networks?
Gramlich says utilities may need more redundancy in local distribution networks, as well as backup transformers that can be deployed when equipment fails, which will require building in more procurement and storage.
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According to a 2018 study co-authored by Michael Webber, how does temperature affect the efficiency of power plants, air conditioners, and transmission systems?
The study found that power plants, air conditioners, and transmission systems tend to operate more efficiently at cooler temperatures.
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What are the three components that Michael Webber, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Texas at Austin, says become less efficient during extreme heat?
According to Michael Webber, grid operators face a "triple whammy" because air conditioners, transmission lines, and power plants all become less efficient during extreme heat.
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