DoE Targets 35 GW of Backup Power to Blunt Storm Fern


   
Barani Krishnan
DTN Refined Fuels Market Reporter

   SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) -- The Trump administration wants U.S. grid operators to 
tap as much 35 GW of unused backup electricity at data centers to mitigate the 
impact of this weekend's Winter Storm Fern, which is expected to cause 
significant power outages, the Department (DoE) announced Friday (1/23).

   "We have identified more than 35 GW of unused backup generation that exists 
across the country and are taking action to ensure that if the nation needs it, 
the generation will be made available," Energy Secretary Chris Wright said, 
adding that data center operators have been told to maintain communications 
with the DoE and be on standby to divert supply.

   Energy experts expect Winter Storm Fern to strain infrastructure from the 
Southern Plains to the Northeast, potentially causing natural gas freeze-offs 
and distribution line failures.

   The DoE estimates that power outages cost the American economy $44 billion 
annually, making the mitigation of storm-driven blackouts a primary financial 
and safety priority.

   The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has cautioned that 
aggregate peak power demand is rising at record rates, up 20 GW from the 
previous year.

   PJM, the nation's largest grid operator, has forecast an all-time winter 
peak of 145,700 MW as Storm Fern moves through the Mid-Atlantic this weekend.




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