In Case of a Regional Power Grid Emergency

FAQ

Why would PSO disconnect power during a regional power grid emergency?

If the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) declares an emergency requiring utilities to reduce the electric load on the regional power grid, PSO puts its emergency plan into action. As the regional power grid operator, SPP would require the action as a last resort to avoid widespread catastrophic power loss and to prevent long-term damage to the regional electric system. The action may be due to extreme temperatures, unexpected electric system problems, tight supplies of electricity across the region, or other power grid emergencies. PSO would implement a series of controlled outages that temporarily interrupt power to customers in parts of its service territory, rotating the outages so that customers are not without power any longer than necessary.

What is the Southwest Power Pool?

PSO is part of a group called the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) that operates the electric power grid in a multi-state territory. SPP makes sure – at any time of the day – that the amount of available power generation matches the amount of electricity needed by customers, plus an additional margin in case it's needed. In a regional power grid emergency, they work with member utilities like PSO to restore the grid to normal operations.

SPP does not own or operate generation or transmission facilities. Similar to air traffic controllers who monitor air space, SPP monitors and directs the electric power network to ensure that electricity safely and reliably gets to customers in the region. SPP is a regional transmission organization and not-for-profit corporation mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Has this type of power grid emergency happened before?

The controlled outage event during the major winter storm in February 2021 was the first time in PSO's 100+ history that this kind of emergency has occurred. However, SPP and member utilities maintain plans and regularly conduct drills to prepare for such emergencies. PSO has never been forced to have a summertime planed outage.

What has PSO done in the time since the February 2021 Winter Storm URI?

The controlled outage event during the major winter storm in February 2021 was the first time in PSO's 100+ history that this kind of emergency has occurred. However, SPP and member utilities maintain plans and regularly conduct drills to prepare for such emergencies. PSO has never been forced to have a summertime planed outage.

The winter storm of 2021 presented a unique set of challenges to the state, PSO and, most importantly, our customers. PSO emphasized protecting our customers during life-threatening cold weather.

Since the storm, PSO has taken several steps to help prevent a similar situation from occurring, including:

• Reducing Fuel Cost Risks: PSO is using different energy sources and fixed-price gas contracts to avoid sudden increases in fuel costs.
• Wind Power and Compliance: PSO's wind facilities are fully operational, helping to lower fuel costs, and their cold weather plans meet new standards.
• Risk Management and Training: PSO is working with leaders to reduce future risks, exploring new ways to store and hedge fuel, and improving training for cold weather.

What are "controlled outages"?

Controlled outages are efforts to reduce power to parts of the service territory and then rotate the outages to other areas to limit the length of outages for customers. "Load shedding" is the emergency reduction of load – or electric demand – on the power grid to avoid widespread power loss and to prevent long-term damage to the regional electric system.

How does PSO decide which customers have power interrupted?

When PSO must reduce the load on its electric system in an emergency, we use controlled temporary outages. The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) tells PSO and other electric utilities how much electric load we must reduce.

In our emergency plan, PSO matches the number of circuits that add up to the amount of electricity we are required to reduce. For example, a circuit might have 500 to 1,500 customers, and PSO might need to disconnect 25 circuits. Those circuits would be in different locations around PSO's service territory to lessen impact on one particular area. PSO would temporarily disconnect power to these circuits, and when possible, rotate to another group of circuits to limit the impact in any one location to one to two hours. It may take longer to get the power back on because of electric system issues or weather conditions. We make every effort to avoid interruption of service to critical public health and public safety facilities.

When the overall energy delivery system has returned to a normal state, the SPP will immediately notify PSO that the controlled outages can end. During a longer emergency period, SPP could order additional controlled outages until the system returns to lower levels of emergency and then to normal operations.

Will PSO warn customers prior to controlled outages?

Emergency conditions on the electric system can change quickly. The Southwest Power Pool (SPP) must act fast to protect the electric system from widespread, catastrophic damage to the regional electric system and avoid bigger and longer outages for all customers.

Because PSO and other electric companies are directed to act immediately to reduce the amount of electricity demand on the system. Customers may not receive advance notice as the request to reduce load is urgent and immediate.

Usually, the first thing the public will hear is an emergency request to reduce use of electricity. If energy conservation action does not reduce electricity use enough, the additional emergency action may be needed, including controlled outages.

PSO makes every effort to notify customers about the requests to conserve electricity and the possibility of further emergency action.

Does a request to conserve energy come first?

Whenever possible, a request to conserve energy comes before other emergency action like controlled outages. PSO asks customers to reduce electricity use as much as possible. Use energy needed for your personal safety and to protect against property damage. Conservation tips include adjusting thermostats, avoiding unnecessary use of lighting and appliances, and keeping doors, windows and blinds shut to retain heat inside. Get more tips here. Customers' combined efforts can reduce overall demand for electricity and help ease the emergency situation.

How do customers help with energy conservation?

Individual customers' efforts across the region make a difference. SPP operates the multiple-state electric system – balancing energy production and electricity use for the entire area. That's why energy conservation in one place, for example North Dakota, can have a meaningful impact on electric reliability in another, like Arkansas, Louisiana, or Texas. And our efforts contribute to reliability at home and across the multi-state SPP region which serves customers in approximately 14 states.

What are the SPP's emergency alert levels?

SPP uses the following Emergency Energy Alert (EEA) levels on the regional electric grid, summarized generally:

• EEA1 – potential regional power grid problems
• EEA2 – developing regional power grid problems – requires public appeal for energy conservation
• EEA3 – regional energy deficiency – requires load reduction through controlled outages by utilities
• EEA0 – end of regional emergency

For current grid conditions and more information about SPP alert levels, visit: https://spp.org/markets-operations/current-grid-conditions/

Why is PSO connected to other electric companies?

Electric companies are connected to each other so they can work together for reliable electric service. They help each other out when there are power plant or other electric system problems. They work to get their customers the best price on power from different power plants. They work together to plan and build the right transmission lines to deliver electricity where it needs to go.