"US Power Grid Issues Emergency Alert: Crisis Looms"

PJM Interconnection, the largest US electric grid operator, has issued a level-one emergency alert due to a heatwave affecting the US, Europe, and China. The company, responsible for power supply in 13 states and the District of Columbia, is asking power plants to operate at full capacity as it faces challenges in sustaining required electricity contingency reserves. High temperatures are driving up the demand for electricity, particularly for cooling systems, putting strain on the power reserves. PJM is preparing for a predicted load of approximately 150,700 megawatts on July 27 and 152,800 megawatts on July 28. Heatwaves, exacerbated by climate change, are causing significant challenges for power grids worldwide.