The reliability and resilience of the transforming resource mix is more vulnerable to extreme, widespread, and long-duration temperatures shifts. For example, there is an increasing reliance on just-in-time delivery of natural gas, wind, and solar to fuel new generating capacity. During extreme weather events, many of these resources may become unavailable, while at the same time, the ability of transfers to make up the energy deficit is limited. Operations planning and communication with natural gas suppliers and pipelines are becoming increasingly important for reliable and resilient operation of the bulk power system. Capacity is needed to ensure both the availability of energy and the essential reliability services that support the grid.

 With the integration of renewable resources, it is necessary to manage the uncertainty from variable resources and engineer their integration in ways that they provide. enough energy and sufficient essential reliability services.

This can be addressed through:

Adding No/Low Carbon Resources

Ensuring sufficient no/low carbon energy is built and available to meet decarbonization goals.

Building Transmission

Developing adequate transmission to integrate renewables and transmit and distribute energy from resource rich areas to areas with deficits.

Providing Balancing Resources

Maintaining a robust fleet of balancing resources to support energy delivery alongside renewables.

Strengthening Energy Supply Chain

Ensure healthy energy supply chains for balancing resources, with sufficient access to stored energy to withstand long duration, widespread extreme weather events.

At the same time, the grid is facing unprecedented demand growth from large loads, including electrification, data centers, AI computing, and crypto-currency facilities. These loads are highly concentrated, can connect rapidly, and often have unique operational profiles, further increasing the need for careful planning and resilient integration of resources.