Energy Analytics Power and Renewables

Virginia Power Outage: Grid Outage Explained

byRob Allerman

Heavy winter storms left 390,000 Virginians without power this week. Dominion Power has since restored services to more than 250,000 customers. Extreme winter storms caused power outages and interruptions due to damaged infrastructure and equipment. For the power industry, these events impact wholesale power pricing, electricity demand and grid operations, in addition to the end consumer interruption.

Winter storms are common, so why has recent storm damage been extreme?

Extreme weather events cause damage to power grid infrastructure, but this year’s winter storms are particularly strong due to La Nina. The cold-water phenomenon in the tropical Pacific has caused an energized jet stream to bring damaging winter storms to the northern U.S., but warmer and more tranquil weather to the southern U.S. In addition, heavy rainfall in fall 2021 has softened soils, leaving tree root structures vulnerable. When laden with heavy snow, trees are more susceptible to falling and damaging power lines.

How do extreme weather events affect wind and solar generation?

There is a silver lining. This stormy weather is a plus for wind power generation if there is no damage to turbines. In October, Enverus forecasted above average wind generation activity for December 2021. In the early days of 2022, Enverus confirms this forecast.

More stormy weather expected from this La Nina weather

Enverus is concerned there could be additional power outages tonight and tomorrow in the same areas of Virginia as another heavy wet snow event enters the region.

“As the Virginia area recovers from the crippling snowstorm that knocked out power and made travel almost impossible, another heavy, wet snowstorm is expected Thursday night and Friday morning. There is a risk that additional power outages could occur with this storm system as well.”

Rob Allerman, Enverus

Enverus provides real-time power generation data and constraint analytics. Enverus Daily Reports and 90-Day Forecasts provide load and wind outlooks based on climate, industry and market fundamentals. Learn more at: https://www.enverus.com/solutions/energy-analytics/power-and-renewables/90-day-reports/

Rob Allerman

Rob Allerman

Rob Allerman is Senior Director of Power Analytics at Enverus. Before joining Enverus, Rob was Head of North America Power Analytics at EDF Power Trading in Houston, Texas, and spent many years as a power analyst at Deutsche Bank. Rob also worked in the western U.S. for nearly 10 years at Power Utilities and started his career as a Hydrologist for the Federal Government.

Subscribe to the Enverus Blog

A weekly update on the latest “no-fluff” insight and analysis of the energy industry.

Related Content

CCUS-GettyImages-1056200534
Energy Analytics Energy Transition
ByAndrew Gillick

In case you missed it, Enverus virtually hosted EVOLVE, our flagship conference, May 16-17. The event included two full days of presentations, panels and keynotes, distilling the most relevant data and thoughts on the industry today.  Below Andrew Gillick, managing director...

blog-refinancing
Energy Analytics Other
ByShane Reddell

In the current landscape of heightened environmental and social consciousness, upstream oil and gas companies face significant challenges in achieving favorable refinancing for their existing credit facilities. These challenges are compounded by the recent volatility in the debt markets and...

unprecedented-wildfire-season-singes-alberta-oil-production
Energy Analytics Intelligence Publications
ByMaurice Smith

Wildfires that have already scorched more than double the average annual fire destruction across Alberta forced the shut-in of more than 300,000 boe/d while threatening future shuttering of output from the so-far largely unaffected oil sands region. Record temperatures saw...

ccus-risky-business-post
Energy Analytics Energy Transition
ByHeather Leahey

CO2 containment risk has become one of the most popular topics among our clients evaluating CCUS projects. Operators need to understand and evaluate subsurface features that could trigger CO2 migration and containment losses as well as introduce additional safety, reputational...

ev-parent-image
Energy Analytics Energy Transition
ByRyan Luther

Anyone who thinks spending time at a public charging station is a blocker to buying an electric vehicle (EV) might want to consider the numbers behind EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle refueling times. The answer is that it...

Enverus Blog - 6 tax preparation tips for mineral and royalty managers
Energy Analytics
BySilas Martin

Recent years have been a roller coaster for mineral buyers, from record low commodity prices to highs for oil and natural gas in the last year. Going forward, challenges and opportunities will be plentiful. We expect oil prices between $80...

wind-power-energy-woman-trader-stock
Power and Renewables
ByKenneth Curtis

It’s that time of year when generator and transmission outages are at their peak in PJM. The first half of April has not disappointed volatility-wise as the WHUB/NIHUB spread has set new 30-day highs largely driven by congestion. Figure 1:...

Enverus Blog - April's energy outlook: Analyst insights you can't miss
Analyst Takes Energy Analytics
ByChris Griggs

May marks a new month, and it’s essential to assess the energy landscape of April. Our Enverus Intelligence® | Research (EIR) team has scrutinized critical trends and advancements, delivering to you insightful analyst takes that can shape your business decisions....

ofs-banner
Energy Analytics
ByCayley Krynowsky

Inventory is king in 2023. Operators and investors alike are more concerned than ever about remaining inventory – who has it, where is it, and will it be economic? To answer these questions, most turn to the tried-and-true, but also...

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Let’s get started!

We’ll follow up right away to show you a quick product tour.

Sign up for our Blog

Access Product Tour

Speak to an Expert

Book a Demo