New York's grid operator expects adequate electricity supplies for summer 2018, with a total of 42,169 megawatts of resources available to meet a forecast peak demand of 32,904 MW.
The New York ISO's "Summer 2018 Capacity Assessment," released May 30, said the forecast peak demand for the upcoming summer is 2.9% above the 10-year average peak of 31,968 MW. Last year's peak demand of 29,699 MW, reached in July, was 7% below the 10-year average. New York's record peak of 33,956 MW was reached in July 2013 after a week-long heat wave.
The peak demand forecast is based on normal summer weather conditions. If extreme weather results in a heat wave of prolonged temperatures of 100 degrees F in New York City and other regions in the state, the NYISO said peak demand could increase to approximately 34,750 MW.
The NYISO said the total capacity of power resources expected to be available this summer is 42,169 MW, including 39,325 MW of in-state capacity from power plants, 1,219 MW of demand response resources, and 1,625 MW of net purchases and sales from neighboring regions. Based on historical performance, the net resources projected to be available to serve during the summer peak total 37,123 MW, said the NYISO. In 2018, New York's operating reserve requirement is 2,620 MW, resulting in a total capacity requirement of 35,524 MW.
Along with demand response programs, the load forecast includes the expected effect of energy efficiency programs, distributed solar photovoltaics, and nonsolar distributed resources in moderating peak load growth and reducing overall energy usage.
