The nation’s electric grid and natural gas system largely operated without any major incidents during the January 2024 severe weather that swept Arctic air across much of North America, staff with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation reported on April 25.
FERC and NERC staff provided details on the review at FERC’s monthly open meeting.
The observations detailed at the meeting were the result of a review launched in February to evaluate the operation of the natural gas and bulk-power systems during Winter Storms Gerri and Heather.
The review looked at weather conditions, natural gas performance, planning and operations practices, and generator performance, focusing on progress since completion of the joint inquiries into Winter Storms Uri and Elliott and a December 2023 Blackstart Availability Study.
During Winter Storms Gerri and Heather, there was zero system operator-initiated load shed, the review found.
Natural gas and electric entities shared positive steps taken to improve preparation for extreme cold weather, highlighting improved communication and coordination, FERC and NERC staff noted.
Generators reported fewer derates/outages as compared to past winter storms potentially attributed to:
- Improved winter preparedness;
- Proactive generator commitment;
- Improved gas generator stability due to variable, i.e., non-ratable, fuel supply methods; and
- Incorporating operating limitations into operating plans.
“The challenges highlighted in this presentation emphasize the need for continued implementation of recommendations from the Winter Storms Uri and Elliott reports and the recent Blackstart Availability Study,” FERC and NERC staff said.
The scope of the system performance review covered:
- The weather conditions experienced during the January 2024 winter storms;
- Natural gas system performance prior to and during the January 2024 winter storms;
- Electricity planning and operations practices, procedures, and resources used prior to and during the January 2024 winter storms; and
- Generator performance prior to and during the January 2024 winter storms.
Amid the progress by both the natural gas and electric industries, “work remains on identifying critical natural gas infrastructure, timely communication of operational issues and enhanced gas-electric situational awareness to support electric reliability,” FERC said in a news release related to the review.
