'Threat to reliability': Kansas power producers call for energy conservation

KANSAS (KSNT) - The Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the nonprofit corporation overseeing the power transmission system in 17 states, including Kansas, is raising awareness to potential threats to energy reliability.

On Monday, Aug. 26 the SPP issued an Energy Emergency Alert. The SPP said there is enough power generation to meet current energy demands along the grid while meeting reserve power obligations. However, if conditions worsen, power reserves could be put at risk.

On Tuesday, Aug. 27 the SPP ended the energy emergency but is now under a 'Conservative Operations Advisory' until 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

"Conservative Operations Advisories do not require the public to conserve energy, but are issued to raise awareness of potential threats to reliability among entities responsible for operating transmission and generation facilities," the SPP wrote as an update to current grid conditions. "Individuals should continue to contact their local utility for details specific to their area."

SPP expects high power demand due to widespread high temperatures over the grid's region, low output from wind and other variable energy sources, and increased resource outages. Currently, SPP says it is not asking the public to conserve energy and does not anticipate a need for service blackouts.

The SPP said conservative operations advisories are issued when the SPP is at risk of meeting required operating reserves.

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