Power Generation Alert

**NO LONGER IN EFFECT**
UPDATES: https://villageofmerrillan.statuspage.io/

Dairyland Power via MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) has issued a Max Gen Alert. Generation capacity is nearing limits. The Village will be using our diesel generator to help with the load. Please do your best to conserve power. Additional details to follow.

Thank you.

Additional Details:

This is a follow-up on the alert sent earlier to the Village of Merrillan. Please read below for a good explanation on what this means. In reference to the Village specifically, when this happens or when a “peak alert” occurs, the Village has a diesel generator we run to assist the grid with the load placed on it. There are members all across the grid footprint that do this which helps alleviate the stress, and normally, keep the power on. This setup allows the Village in most cases to receive reduced costs because of the wholesale purchase of power from companies like Dairyland Power. The Village of Merrillan does not currently implement load control, but companies like Jackson Electric do, if one chooses to participate in such a program. If reductions are not met to alleviate the strain, rolling blackouts could occur.

Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), an independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for operating the power grid in 15 states and Manitoba, Canada. In May, MISO made it evident that there is an increased possibility of rolling black outs due to an unbalance in power generation at peak times and usage during those peak times.

MISO’s Executive Director, recently stated, “MISO’s northern and central regions are at heightened risk for controlled load sheds or planned blackouts.” MISO may activate emergency plans, which would result in load shedding (reducing the demand for electricity) outside of seasonal full load control hours (2 p.m. to 6 p.m., in the summer). If the power grid is nearing capacity, members will be asked to begin conservation measures such as limiting the use of air conditioning. Members should also delay the use of dishwashers, washers and dryers and other nonessential electricity items. These measures take some pressure off the grid to help keep the lights on and help avoid blackouts. Additional details on this, here: https://www.utilitydive.com/news/capacity-prices-auction-miso-midcontinent/622186/

A really good explanation of what all of this this means can be found on the Jackson Electric website, here: https://www.jackelec.com/load-reduction-event

A considerable amount of detail, such as procedures, etc, can be found here: https://www.misoenergy.org/markets-and-operations/reliability-information/reliability-operating-procedures/#t=10&p=0&s=&sd=

You can monitor the energy grid for MISO, here: https://www.misoenergy.org/markets-and-operations/real-time–market-data/operations-displays/