TVA power withstands record demand, avoiding rolling blackouts so far
The Tennessee Valley Authority broke its power demand record Jan. 17, when the average temperature across its system was 4 degrees. Unlike when similar weather struck in December 2022, TVA did not order any rolling blackouts.
The push through low temperatures is not over yet, as more frigid weather heads to the Tennessee Valley. Knoxville will still have single-digit temperatures and negative wind chills on Jan. 19 and 20.
The federal utility company's demand reached 34,526 megawatts at 9 a.m. Eastern Jan. 17, short of the projected 35,000 megawatts. TVA's previous power demand record was 33,482 megawatts on Aug. 16, 2007.
TVA leaders asked customers to reduce electricity use, especially between 7-11 a.m. Jan. 17. By 12:45 p.m., the Knoxville Utilities Board posted that TVA's system had returned to normal operations and ended the conservation request.
Winter Storm Elliott held the previous record for peak winter power demand at 33,427 megawatts — an amount the agency couldn't safely meet as temperatures dropped to single digits overnight on Dec. 23, 2022, and some of its power plants froze.
A megawatt is enough to power 585 average homes, according to the agency, although some homes use less energy.
In the aftermath of Winter Storm Elliott, which cost TVA $170 million, and resulting rolling blackouts, a report said the utility's grid needed to be more resilient and that its communication with customers needed to be more transparent.
"Extremely cold temperatures across the region continue to drive up the demand for electricity," according to a Jan. 17 agency post. "The TVA electric grid is stable, and our generating facilities are performing well."
TVA brings power to around 10 million people in seven states and has a peak generating capacity of close to 33,000 megawatts. It is also able to purchase thousands of megawatts from neighboring power companies.
TVA spent around $130 million on grid reliability updates and warming technology in 2023 to try and prevent rolling blackouts. Knox News got to see what those updates look like on the ground.
Though its leadership expressed confidence in TVA's ability to weather another cold weather event, they said it would take another storm to put their updates to the test. On Jan. 17, those upgrades passed their first major test.
As the population of the Tennessee Valley increases and TVA looks to phase out its final coal plants in favor of cleaner energy sources, grid reliability will remain a funding focus. In the next year, TVA said it will spend $120 million above normal spending levels on grid reliability updates.
Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focused on technology and energy. Phone 423-637-0878. Email daniel.dassow@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: TVA power avoids blackouts amid winter weather
