As a heat wave blankets much of the U.S., utilities are managing to keep up, for now

 With a record-breaking heatwave scorching much of the United States and expected to last into next week, power companies are scrambling to meet demand. 

 Warnings about possible power outages this summer did not materialize. But tens of millions of people in many states around the country are under heat warnings or advice, and the task of powering overactive air conditioners is no easy feat. Temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in many places, such as Wichita Falls, Texas, hit a sultry 115 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday. In February 2021, Texas experienced a dangerous blackout during a winter storm, and the record heat is raising fears of a  repeat. 

 “High electrical loads,” agrees Thomas Overbye,  professor of electrical and computer engineering at Texas A&M University. 

 He said that Texas set a record for highest electricity usage on Wednesday, but  the state is "cautiously optimistic that all will be well with the grid." 

 In a statement  Wednesday, the North American Electrical Reliability Company, or NERC, said the U.S.  grid is taking corrective action to avoid the blackouts that occurred in Texas last year. 

 The Electrical Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT,  the state's grid operator, said it "expects enough electricity to meet expected demand" during the current heatwave. But last week it asked customers to save energy during peak  times. 

 "When ERCOT requires preservation, we expect all businesses to comply with our request, including minors, however, they are under no obligation to preserve," the advice says. . 

  ERCOT issued  such a "conservation call" last week, asking customers to reduce consumption during peak hours. That day, Overbye said the state "didn't have enough wind generated." 

 In neighboring Arkansas, the weather pattern is  the same, with major utility Entergy saying so far it sees no need  to ask  customers to cut spending. “In fact, we maintain and improve our network throughout the year to prepare for times like these,” said Brandi Hinkle, a spokesperson for the add-on. 

 But Entergy relies heavily on "clean and reliable" nuclear power to supply its customers. 

 In Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a heat-related emergency that will remain in effect through Monday.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2022/07/22/1112724801/heat-warning-heat-wave-advisory-power-grid