PJM, which services nearly 70 million Americans, could be forced to trigger blackouts during periods of high demand
Warning signs are already flashing red. This summer, heat waves surged demand for power on the PJM grid to βnear-record highsβ as consumers tried to cool their homes, according to the Journal. PJM responded by requesting that all power plants operate at full capacity. PJM also paid multiple large energy users, including factories, to cease operations.
While historically rare, rolling blackouts can be deadly. Over 200 people died in Texas in the winter of 2021 after the grid operator in the state ordered utilities to institute rolling blackouts to prevent complete grid failure amid freezing temperatures. Some Texans were without power for days.
A few months ago, PJM came up with proposals intended to balance the needs of both consumers and data centers. One plan said they would slash power to data centers during periods of strain.
Tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google opposed the plan, claiming it unfairly singled out data centers. They responded by offering their own proposals, which would make going offline voluntary.
