PJM Interconnection Experiences Highest Electricity Demand Ever: Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Provide 92.9% of the Power Needed

     On January 22, PJM Interconnection experienced its highest electricity demand ever with limited interruptions. Natural gas provided 42.5%, coal 22.9%, oil 3%, nuclear 24.5%, and wind and solar combined 4.46%. The other 7.1% was provided mostly by biomass and hydro, presumably. 68.4% was provided by fossil fuels and 92.9% by fossil fuels plus nuclear. If we add biomass, then about 95% of that power was provided through combustion plus splitting atoms and about 70% was provided by combustion alone. When Bill McKibben says we need to stop burning things, perhaps he doesn’t understand the level at which ‘burning things’ sustains us by providing power and heat. The 70% of power provided by combustion is just power. If we add direct heating through natural gas and wood, then combustion wins the day by far. We probably can and should reduce combustion, but it is simply a ridiculous statement that we should eliminate combustion.  

 

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PJM Grid Sees Biggest Demand EVER, NatGas & Coal Saved the Day. Marcellus Drilling News. January 23. 2025. PJM Grid Sees Biggest Demand EVER, NatGas & Coal Saved the Day | Marcellus Drilling News