Also known as real or true power, is the portion of electrical power that does useful work in a circuit, such as generating heat, light, or mechanical energy. (see related: reactive power)
A preliminary document used by government agencies to solicit public feedback on potential new rules or reforms before they are officially proposed. It outlines initial ideas, asks specific questions, and serves as the first step in a larger regulatory process. The acronym is frequently used by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It precedes a formal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) and allows agencies to gauge public opinion and gather information to develop a more informed proposal.
(see also: Essential reliability services) – Supplementary services essential for maintaining the reliable operation and stability of the electrical grid beyond the basic generation and transmission of energy. They are “behind-the-scenes” services that include real-time balancing of electricity supply and demand, maintaining voltage levels, and providing the capability to restart the grid after a widespread outage (black start).
Is an automated system that continuously monitors the electrical network and adjusts the power output of multiple generators. Its primary functions are to maintain system frequency (60 Hz in United States), in response to changes in the power demand, or load.
Fuel cell that carries energy generated from another source. It can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity with water as the only byproduct, or it can be burned for heat. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of sources–renewable energy such as solar or wind, or gas plants, nuclear, and other energy sources–which dictate whether it can be considered “clean” or not.
Historically refers to industrial facilities with high electrical demand. They had long interconnection timelines that allowed for more study time under traditional planning processes. Currently, emerging large loads include cryptocurrency mining, data centers (conventional and artificial intelligence), oil field loads, and hydrogen production facilities. Many have a shorter timeline to interconnect (months vs. years) to the grid. In addition to these rapid timelines, some emerging large loads introduce new challenges to grid operators like rapid demand fluctuations and increased voltage sensitivity.
The amount of power or electricity consumed by a device or system at a given time. It’s the demand placed on an energy source, like a power grid or a battery, by the connected electrical equipment.
The increase in the demand for electricity over time. It signifies the rising need for power from various sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial, and can be driven by factors like population increases, economic development, and the adoption of new technologies like electric vehicles and data centers.
A controlled process where a utility company reduces or shuts off power supply to certain areas or customers to balance demand with available supply, preventing a complete system failure. It’s a last-resort measure to maintain grid stability when demand exceeds supply or when there are issues with power generation or transmission.
A way for wholesale electric energy prices to reflect the value of electric energy at different locations, accounting for the patterns of load, generation, and the physical limits of the transmission system.
Analysis is typically performed on a system to determine the amount of capacity that needs to be installed to meet the desired reliability target, commonly expressed as an expected value, or LOLE of 0.1 days/year.
Wind turbines erected in bodies of water that harness the power of wind, converting it into electricity that is then transmitted to the mainland to power homes and businesses. Offshore wind farms are considered a renewable energy source.
The real-time balancing of energy supply and demand to maintain frequency and voltage within safe operating limits. It is the shorter-term dimension of reliability and requires regular monitoring and control of the entire grid. It includes the ability to quickly respond to sudden changes, like the loss of a major power plant or transmission line, and to handle normal variations in supply and demand.
The brief periods when electricity consumption is at its highest, often driven by factors like extreme weather or heat events. This is the highest amount of electricity demand for which a grid operator needs to plan.
A power plant that is designed to quickly ramp up and provide electricity during periods of high energy demand, such as during hot summer afternoons or cold winter evenings, to meet the increased needs of households and businesses. These plants generally only run during these peak events to supplement regular power generation.
A regulatory tool that ties a portion of utilities’ earnings to the utilities’ performance on desired regulatory outcomes, offering utilities opportunities to create the programs and services needed to advance emerging priorities.
The conversion of light into electricity at the junction of two substances exposed to light. A photovoltaic system employs solar modules, each comprising a number of solar cells, which generate electrical power.
Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection- services 13 states in Midatlantic and Midwest region
The rate of transfer of energy. It’s essentially how quickly energy is being used or converted from one form to another in an electrical circuit. Power is measured in watts (W), which represents one joule (J) of energy per second.
A measure of how efficiently electrical power is being used. It shows how much of the total power flowing in a circuit is actually doing useful work (active power) versus being ”wasted” as reactive power. A power factor closer to 1 means higher efficiency and fewer losses.
