The Next Polar Vortex - "Bring It On" or "Be Afraid"?
Alliance to Save Energy's Events
Featuring leading experts and stakeholders in the efficiency community, Alliance events move us toward our goal of a more energy-efficient world through starting dynamic conversations on principal issues, launching new initiatives, and honoring champions.
The Next Polar Vortex - "Bring It On" or "Be Afraid"?
Event Tabs Default Post-Event
In this Energy and Environment Breakfast, ICF International welcomes an energy expert who will discuss the next polar vortex—and what we need to do to ensure reliable supplies of power at prices we can afford during extreme weather events.
At this time last year, we thought we were well prepared for winter weather—even very cold weather—in the Mid-Atlantic region. But then the polar vortex hit in two waves in January 2014, and the concept of "well prepared" seemed to change. While the system held together—no significant blackouts were recorded—the extreme cold snaps revealed vulnerabilities in the system:
- More than 20 percent of the PJM's generation shuttered due to the cold
- Planned closures were higher than they should have been
- Gas supplies were so constrained that many consumers paid the highest recorded gas and wholesale power prices in history
With more generation capacity due to retire soon, and an aging grid, where do we now stand in our ability to withstand winter's frigid temperatures and storms? Are we putting in place a more resilient system for future decades?
Speaker:
- Terry Boston
President and CEO
PJM Interconnection
STAY EMPOWERED
Help the Alliance advocate for policies to use energy more efficiently – supporting job creation, reduced emissions, and lower costs. Contact your member of Congress.
Energy efficiency is smart, nonpartisan, and practical. So are we. Our strength comes from an unparalleled group of Alliance Associates working collaboratively under the Alliance umbrella to pave the way for energy efficiency gains.
The power of efficiency is in your hands. Supporting the Alliance means supporting a vision for using energy more productively to achieve economic growth, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security, affordability, and reliability.