Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Energy granted a request from PJM, Pennsylvania’s electric grid, to allow PJM to tap into diesel back-up generators, battery arrays, and more from large load users to prevent blackouts during the current heat wave. The order allows PJM to tap into tens of gigawatts of readily available backup generation. It does not apply to facilities serving a critical need, such as hospitals, 911 call centers, and water treatment plants. The order does apply to hyperscale data centers.  

PJM is predicting high demand today to set a new record, which is a good reminder for all of us to conserve electricity today by increasing the air conditioning by a degree or two, not running appliances, and closing blinds. Click here for coverage of the order.