Load control, MISO & Max Gen warnings

As your trusted source of power and information, Jo-Carroll Energy works hard to provide our members the most reliable and safe electricity as possible along with information about the co-op. As the summer heats up, we're seeing more headlines across the country about the increased possibility of energy shortages. Balance on the power grid rests on the ability of utilities to provide electricity exactly when we need it.

What happens if that balance is shifted?

Our power providers have employees working 24/7 with the regional system operation MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) to ensure this balance. JCE has programs in place to support these efforts. Below is more information about JCE's load management programs, MISO and how members can possibly help prevent the potential of rolling blackouts and what to do during outages, caused by either severe storms or other events beyond our control.

What is MISO?

MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) is a not-for-profit member-based organization responsible for operating our region's power grid that includes 15 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. MISO is divided into 10 zones. While most of state of Illinois that falls within MISO is in zone 4, JCE's primary service area is in zone 1.

MISO is responsible for three things: managing the generation and transmission of electricity across high-voltage lines located in its region, managing the buying and selling of electricity within its region and planning for the MISO region grid of tomorrow. MISO does not own the generators, the transmission towers or the transmission lines; its members do. Our electric generation and transmission providers, Dairyland Power Cooperative and Prairie Power, Inc., are members of MISO.

Learn more about MISO at misoenergy.org

Load management

JCE has programs in place that support the efforts of our power providers and MISO to ensure the balance of electricity (generation) needed to needs of all consumers connected to the grid. Load management is the most commonly used program to help lower cooperative costs by reducing energy use when the price for electricity is high. Load management can also be used to help maintain balance on the power grid.

JCE's load control or demand response program is a strategy utilized by Dairyland to shift electricity use and reduce demand. By controlling electric loads during peak times, Dairyland can avoid purchasing power on the open market which is considerably more expense during demand periods. Members who participate in the program have a load management receiver installed on eligible electric appliances.

During times of high electricity demand, or when the price to purchase electricity is high, Dairyland may initiate a load control event and issue a Peak Alert. Members with devices on the co-op's load management program will have them activated. JCE also encourages all members to conserve electricity during the peak hours, which are 2 to 6 p.m. in the summer. Members can help keep electricity rates stable and affordable by shifting electricity use to after 6 p.m.

A Peak Alert is communicated only when necessary and is issued when the electric system is close to experiencing high demand.

Load management can also be used to help maintain balance on the power grid. If there is a severe risk of imbalance, members may be notified of an immediate need to reduce electricity which may help avoid more severe measures such as rolling blackouts. This scenario is a Maximum Generation (Max Gen) event.

While these events are rare, it is important to be prepared to act to keep electricity safely and reliably flowing.

Why does a Max Gen event occur?

Max Gen Events occur due to a shortage of generation resources. In other words, the amount of electricity available on the grid is critical and may not be able to meet the demand for electricity. This could occur for multiple reasons:

Extreme temperatures
Severe weather conditions
Generation resources (power plants, solar/wind facilities, etc.) are unexpectedly offline or available
Higher-than-projected need for electricity
Other circumstances

If there is a severe imbalance between supply and demand for electricity, MISO issues a Max Gen Warning to its members, including Dairyland and Prairie Power, who in turn notify JCE and their other member co-ops. A warning is just that: a warning that a reserve shortage is forecasted and JCE may need to reduce its electric load. This can happen with little notice.

A warning may not advance to an event but can advance through the steps from Peak Alerts and load control devices activated to coordinated load interruptions or rolling blackouts.

What should members do?

If notified of a Max Gen Event, JCE's load management program may be activated outside of normal program hours. This could happen with minimal advance notice.

On Jan. 7, the north and central regions of MISO were in a Max Gen Warning for a few hours in the morning. Again, a warning is just that: notice that there may be a need to initiate the load management program. On a particularly warm day last June, MISO advanced to a Max Gen Event. However, to date, Dairyland and its member co-ops have not had to initiate the load management program outside of normal full load control hours.

Members who do not participate in a load management program can still help by conserving energy.

A Max Gen Event does not mean the load management program will be activated or that rolling blackout will occur. The event may be cancelled before MISO reaches that stage. However, if energy prices are high after the Max Gen Event ends, load management may still be used to help control costs.

You can help reduce electricity demand in several ways. Here are a few tips:

• Turn off lights, televisions, electronics and other appliances

• Cook food in a microwave instead of using a stovetop or oven

• Grill outside or have a picnic

• Adjust your thermostat up or down, depending on the season

• Shift laundry, vacuuming and running the dishwasher until after the event has ended

• Delay electric vehicle charging until after the event has ended