Experts warn power problems may follow storm as snow and demand strain grids

Energy experts warned that the worst electrical problems from the winter storm may occur after the storm has passed in areas including Texas and the Mid-Atlantic, as snow and ice accumulate on trees and power lines and electricity demand rises. As snow and ice collect on tree branches and power lines they can snap and damage electrical equipment, and a sharp rise in electricity use at the start of the week could compound the damage, the outlet reported.

Analysis by ICF shows the main Texas grid run by ERCOT will hit peak demand between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Monday, while PJM, which covers 13 states and the District of Columbia, expects demand to crest from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, when it anticipates reaching the highest winter demand in its history.

"Just because the snow stops, that doesn’t mean the worst is over," said Wei Du, a managing consultant for PA Consulting. ICF vice president George Katsigiannakis said the anticipated demand on Tuesday is almost 10 percent higher than the highest demand last winter and warned "in the PJM system things are going to be extremely thin, and frankly we are concerned." He noted PJM has not added many new power plants, batteries and other resources, while the Texas grid has added large battery storage systems and solar farms.

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