Status of our Regional Energy Grid
About Midwest grid operations and the Southwest Power Pool
For example, if a heat wave in Kansas and Oklahoma strains the electrical supply, the SPP can direct utilities in other member states to generate more power, which can then be purchased the states that need it. Similarly, Evergy can be directed to sell excess energy to the Power Pool when other states need it.
And when weather affects a larger number of customers in its member areas, the SPP directs conservation efforts to reduce strain on the regional grid, with all member areas cooperating to ensure stability and reliability for everyone.
SPP Member Areas
- 14 states
- 552,885 square miles
- Formed in 1941
- Nonprofit corporations
- mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
- Headquartered in Arkansas
Evergy’s membership in the Southwest Power Pool is an important benefit to our customers. It ensures that during times of high demand, we can usually acquire additional power from other member utilities. At the same time, Evergy can help keep costs stable by selling electricity to the SPP, helping keep energy affordable for our Kansas and Missouri customers.
Grid alert levels during extreme weather conditions
In addition to managing day-to-day grid operations, the Southwest Power Pool monitors the ability of our regional grid to deliver sufficient power to customers through storms and periods of high demand (like heat or cold waves). When conditions might impact customers, the SPP adjusts its alert level.
Most advisories and alerts will never impact our customers, but behind the scenes, Evergy can make operational adjustments and implement energy-conservation measures to reduce stress on the energy grid. The SPP uses a scale to indicate current grid status.
Two alert levels can potentially impact customers:
Emergency Level 2 Alert
If the alert reaches Level 2, The Southwest Power Pool may require member utilities to ask customers to voluntarily conserve energy. For customers, some ideas include:
• Turning thermostats a little cooler in winter (65-68 degrees) or warmer in summer (75-78 degrees)
• Avoiding the use of electric space heaters in winter
• Opening blinds and shades during the day to let the sun warm the room in winter, or closing them in summer
• Turning off unnecessary lights and appliances
• Delaying the use of non-essential appliances (like laundry and dishwashers)
• Using low-temperature cooking methods like slow cookers instead of your big oven
Emergency Level 3 Alert
If an alert reaches Level 3 (which is extremely rare), the SPP may call for utilities to implement temporary power interruptions. These are a strategic measure meant to alleviate strain on the energy grid to prevent a more serious longer-term emergency.
If necessary, the SPP would determine where grid stress is most severe, and direct utilities to briefly shut off power in specific areas for a short period of time. Then power will be restarted and a different area will experience a similar controlled power interruption.
By using these short power interruptions, utilities can help stabilize the grid with minimal inconvenience to customers.
Temporary power interruptions are a strategic measure meant to alleviate strain on the energy grid to prevent a more serious longer-term emergency.
The term “rolling blackout,” frequently used by media, implies they are not controlled. Temporary interruptions are carefully controlled, and grid-management software is used to identify the amount of reduction needed, distributing it throughout the system.
Complex algorithms are used in identifying which circuits meet the required energy reduction and will not impact public services like hospitals or police and fire stations.
Evergy uses the more descriptive term emergency power interruptions for clarity and to capture that these events are controlled, temporary and intended to limit the impact on individual customers.
Emergency power interruptions are expected to last about 30 to 60 minutes. If customers have experienced an outage that is longer than an hour, they should be reported online or by calling 800-LIGHT-KS (800) 544-4857 in Kansas, or 888-LIGHT-KC (888) 544-4852 in the KC metro area and in Missouri.
While these emergency power interruptions are being implemented, we may also experience outages as a result of other issues, including equipment failures, or vegetation and wildlife getting into our equipment. If equipment doesn’t function as expected, an outage could last longer. Most emergency outages are being managed through remote communications equipment. If remote operations fail, a crew will be sent to evaluate the outage and make repairs.
The Southwest Power Pool issues a requirement for Evergy to reduce energy use by a certain amount. Evergy grid management software identifies circuits from throughout the service area that as a group carry about that amount of energy. Those circuits are interrupted for 30-60 minutes. As those circuits are re-energized, the software identifies new circuits that carry that amount of energy. This continues until the emergency ends, and the Southwest Power Pool determines that temporary interruptions are no longer necessary.
When the Southwest Power Pool asks Evergy to reduce power use for regional grid stability, customer interruptions are spread throughout our service area to help keep the grid balanced.
Situations are possible where a smaller geographic area is at risk. In that case emergency power interruptions may only take place in that area.
Unfortunately, no.
Grid conditions in emergency situations can change very rapidly. When the Southwest Power Pool asks for energy reductions, we have very little time to act, and the amount of power we are required to reduce can change quickly. We’re not able to give customers advance notice that they may be part of an interruption.
