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Amid a complex array of challenges, the New England power grid has performed well during the cold weather. Following ISO New England forecasts that showed tightening grid conditions, generators have taken steps to bolster their fuel supplies, and the ISO is projecting improvements in the coming weeks. These projections are contingent on expected fuel replenishment materializing.

Over the past two weeks, New England’s power system experienced its most challenging operating conditions since the winter of 2017/2018. Prolonged cold temperatures drove consumer demand for electricity sharply upward, both at peak moments and in overall usage, placing sustained pressure on the power system.

The region’s natural gas system is contracted primarily to serve home and business heating needs first. Demand on the gas system has been elevated during this cold period. High demand, coupled with limited capacity to transport gas into New England, prompted high prices. As a result, many generators have turned to oil as a more economical alternative. Winter Storm Fern affected fuel delivery logistics for both natural gas and oil up and down the East Coast, creating bottlenecks as generators across the Northeast competed for fuel.

In addition, cold temperatures extended across the Northeast, Midwest, and eastern Canada, limiting our ability to rely on consistent imports of electricity to the region.

The storm also significantly reduced behind-the-meter solar production. The solar panels on homes and businesses usually mitigate overall system demand during the middle of the day. While output has begun to recover, the return has been slowed by cold temperatures impeding snowmelt on panels.

In light of all of these factors, the ISO requested and received an order Jan. 25 from the US Department of Energy (DOE) under Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act to ensure that all available power resources in New England, including those subject to emissions or other permit limitations, can operate when they otherwise might not be able to. The ISO sought and received an extension of the waiver until Feb. 14 due to forecasted cold conditions over the next two weeks.

The ISO did not make these requests lightly and recognizes the importance of environmental permit limits. However, the prolonged nature of this cold weather made the initial request and subsequent extension necessary to ensure adequate generating resources are at hand to keep power flowing in the region.

The region is not out of the woods yet, with another cold front expected this weekend into next week. Early forecasts also show below-normal temperatures throughout the month of February. The continued cold weather makes fuel replenishment critical to maintaining system reliability in the coming weeks.
ISO New England is continuing to monitor expected conditions through our rolling 21-day energy supply forecast, and our operators remain focused on prudent and efficient grid operations.