Power Grids Under Pressure: US Areas at Risk of Blackouts During the Summer

Power outages aren’t something most people think about until they happen. And when they do, it can be extremely embarrassing, especially when you’re trying to do it cool your home during hot summer months. For people who work from home, the risk of to be tapped offline can also be a serious concern. That’s why you need to find out if you’re in one of the U.S. areas that will face an increased risk of power shortages this summer, according to a seasonal assessment of grid reliability by North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

The report highlights regions in North America that may face grid reliability issues, thanks to either too little supply or too much demand for energy. Although this year’s summer outlook for the power grid is better than last year’s, there are still some areas of the U.S. that are at increased risk of power shortages and blackouts during unexpected extreme heat.

Those areas could face power outages “in a once-in-a-decade heat wave-caliber event,” said Mark Olson, manager of reliability assessments at NERC.

NERC says much of the Midwest, New England and the region from California to Louisiana are at risk during higher-than-normal peak demand. British Columbia and Saskatchewan in Canada also have a higher risk.

Chances of power outages in your area

There are less affected areas than last year’s summer reliability report. The steady addition of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to the electric grid has helped meet electricity demand in some areas of the US, the report said. Utility-scale battery resources also contributed to higher peak reserve margins during peak demand hours.

“A lot of solar energy went into the system,” Olson said. “We’ve had more capacity in some areas that have been a concern in the past, and that has helped all areas have resources for normal peak conditions as demand grows.”

The network is at risk for different reasons in different places. The retirement of natural gas-fired generators in New England could result in less power capacity. Insufficient solar output and wind output during peak demand hours may also create some reliability issues in Texas, California, the southwestern and mid-continent states. Extreme heat waves make it difficult to transmit power from other areas.

These are the states NERC warns are at increased risk: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin.

Power outages have been more common in recent years, although they have declined since their peak in 2020. In 2022, the most recent year for which data is available, the average American household had The power supply was interrupted for five and a half hours, according to the Energy Information Administration. More than half of that time is due to “major events,” usually extreme weather.

The NERC report focused on the risk of demand outpacing supply. Air conditioning can be a major demand on the grid, and the need for air conditioning is only growing. April 2024 was the hottest April ever recorded and 11th consecutive record-setting month. That’s probably it 2024 will be hotter than the historical average after 2023, it was the hottest year ever seen by humans.

This is thanks to climate change fueled by the burning of fossil fuels for energy. To avoid the worst effects of a warming planet, the world must quickly transition to zero carbon emissions and renewable energy sources.

Climate change is partly responsible for grid strain, which has increased the risk of blackouts this year. Some preparations can help.

Ways You Can Prepare for a Conscious Interruption

If you live in a high-risk area or somewhere prone to severe weather and natural disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes, power outage preparation it can pay off. Having a few essentials on hand can keep you safer and more comfortable while the power is out.

Make sure you have enough non-perishable food and water on hand to get you through the extended period interruption. Keep a first aid kit ready. Note your utility’s emergency number and the location of local cooling or heating stations in case an outage occurs during a heat wave or cold snap.

Having flashlights and batteries on hand will make dark nights more bearable. A portable power plant (add portable solar panels to get a solar generator) or backup generator it can replace at least some of the electricity you lost. (If using a generator, make sure you do so safely.) Solar panels on the roof and a backup battery can save part of your home—or all of it, if insert enough batteries — powered.

Emerging technologies may make it easier to overcome blackouts in the future. Microgrids — groups of buildings that can work together or separately from the grid — will stay on during a broader power outage. Two-way charging from electric vehicleswhich is not yet widely available, will allow you to use the energy stored in your car to run your house.