Hot weather updates: Week of July 15, 2024

July 17, 2024 – 10:30 a.m.

New England’s power grid remains reliable after consumer demand for electricity reached 24,310 megawatts (MW) on Tuesday, an unofficial peak for this year.

ISO New England forecasts demand on Wednesday to reach approximately 24,000 MW as consumers continue to run air conditioners during the third day of a forecasted region-wide heat wave.

The ISO projects having adequate supplies of electricity throughout the day. System operators will continue monitoring conditions, and have tools and procedures available if needed.

July 16, 2024 – 10 a.m.

New England’s power grid remains reliable entering Tuesday, the second day of a forecasted region-wide heat wave.

Consumer demand for electricity peaked on Monday evening at 23,120 megawatts (MW), in line with forecasts. At 10 p.m. Monday, the ISO lifted an Abnormal Conditions Alert that had been issued earlier in the day due to the potential for hot weather to cause tight conditions over the evening peak.

ISO New England projects demand Tuesday evening to reach 24,500 MW, which would mark the highest level of the season. The ISO anticipates having the necessary resources to meet both consumer demand and required reserves. System operators have tools at their disposal if unexpected conditions materialize.  

This article will be updated with system status information as needed.

July 15, 2024 – 10 p.m.

ISO New England has lifted the precautionary alert.

July 15, 2024 – 2 p.m.

Due to forecasted system conditions, ISO New England declared a precautionary abnormal conditions alert at 2 p.m. on July 15. This is not a system emergency.

This notification alerts power system operations, maintenance, construction, and test personnel, as well as other market participants, that they should suspend any testing or maintenance on their resources that could affect grid reliability.

July 15, 2024 – 12:45 p.m.

ISO New England is monitoring system conditions as continued hot, humid weather could drive consumer demand for electricity to the highest levels thus far this summer. Projections remain well within the ISO’s forecasts entering the season.

Temperatures are expected to hover near or above 90 degrees in Boston and Hartford, the region’s two largest centers of electric load, from Monday through Wednesday this week. Demand for electricity is expected to be high, primarily due to air conditioning.

As of Monday morning, ISO New England is forecasting the following peak loads for electricity from July 15-17:

• Monday, July 15: 23,500 megawatts (MW)
• Tuesday, July 16: 24,000 MW
• Wednesday, July 17: 22,850 MW

For more detailed information, visit the Seven-Day Capacity Forecast page.

Demand exceeded 23,300 MW on June 20, the highest level seen so far in 2024.

The ISO projects adequate supplies of electricity in the coming days. System operators will continue monitoring conditions, and have tools and procedures available if needed.

The all-time record for electricity demand in New England was set on August 2, 2006, with a peak of 28,130 MW during a prolonged heat wave. One megawatt can power about 1,000 homes.