Indianapolis Recorder: AES reassures capacity as report warns of potential coordinated power outages

Read the full story by Jayden Kennett here.

Extreme weather is causing increasing challenges for the power grid across the United States, and a report found experts are concerned it could result in coordinated power outages in several regions in the Midwest, including Indiana. But AES Indiana says it has a plan in place to avoid an energy shortfall.

The region’s grid operator, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), was warned of potential coordinated power outages as the heat rises and more people use their air conditioners to keep cool, according to a report by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. The report said Indiana has a “high risk of energy emergencies during peak summer conditions.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an increase in above-normal average temperatures for most of the U.S. for June, July and August.  Young said AES works closely with MISO to monitor the grid and weather, and both short-term and long-term plans are in place to avoid a blackout. 

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In June, AES joined Climate READi, a three-year initiative to address resilience and adaptation to the energy system as extreme weather events continue. This will enable better planning in the wake of climate change, designing and operating.   

AES is also investing $1.2 billion through revAMP, an initiative that modernizes the electric grid to meet ever-changing energy needs. The investments will help upgrade and replace aging equipment and provide new technology such as smarter technology that troubleshoots the grid in real time and intelligently connected “smart” meters, according to a press release.