MISO Region Sets Energy Demand Record While Maintaining Grid Reliability

CARMEL, Ind., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With temperatures continuing to bake much of the United States, MISO successfully managed its highest demand ever for electricity in the grid operator's 12-state market area, with demand peaking at 103,975 megawatts (MWs), surpassing the last record of 103,246 MWs set on July 31, 2006.

Today's record comes on the heels of successive days of surging demand for power across the region. On Tuesday, the regional transmission system operator, which manages the flow of wholesale power across high voltage lines in 12 states for its member utilities, set a year-to-date record of 102,306 megawatts (MWs), which surpassed Monday's 99,409 MWs. This year's previous record on June 7, 2011, was 96,042 MWs.

"MISO's real-time operations teams in Carmel, Ind., and St. Paul, Minn., continue to manage these high-loading conditions to keep the system in balance.  This involves staying in constant contact with Local Balancing Authorities and generation owners to confirm operating needs and capabilities in order to maintain excellent grid reliability and market operations," said Richard Doying, Vice President of MISO Operations.

To further ensure grid reliability, MISO plans to implement market mechanisms to address the region's future resource adequacy needs, including a proposed permanent approach to demand response that will provide additional mechanisms to keep the grid in balance, especially during sustained periods of high loading such as what the region is experiencing this week. MISO's revised resource adequacy proposal was filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today.

MISO issued a series of directives this week asking generators and local transmission operators to ensure that all available resources can be called upon as needed during the heat wave.

"The week's not over, and given the forecast, we may see yet another record demand day," Doying added. "We remain focused throughout this period of high demand to ensure reliability across our region."

About MISO

MISO ensures reliable operation of, and equal access to high-voltage power lines in 12 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. MISO manages one of the world's largest energy markets, clearing more than $25 billion in energy transactions in 2010. MISO was approved as the nation's first regional transmission organization in 2001. The non-profit 501(C)(4) organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors and is headquartered in Carmel, Ind., with operations centers in Carmel and St. Paul, Minn. Membership in the organization is voluntary.

SOURCE MISO