The eastern half of the United States weathered a severe winter storm over the weekend, with the power grid largely maintaining functionality despite freezing temperatures and increased demand, according to MIT Technology Review. However, the storm revealed vulnerabilities, particularly in fossil-fuel plants.
PJM, the nation's largest grid operator, experienced significant unplanned outages in natural gas and coal-powered plants, MIT Technology Review reported. These facilities have historically struggled during extreme winter weather. Much of the country continues to face record-low temperatures, and the possibility is looming for even more snow this weekend.
The storm raises questions about how to strengthen the grid to better withstand extreme weather events. Living in New Jersey, one of the roughly 67 million Americans covered by PJM, the writer at MIT Technology Review highlights the importance of understanding the grid's vulnerabilities.
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