Critical energy: Newly released data highlights need for quick-start natural gas plants

Milwaukee — In late August, as Milwaukee sweltered in a 101-degree heat index, fans and air conditioners hummed across the city. People in Milwaukee and around the state were keeping cool in very hot and dangerous weather because We Energies was able to ramp up power plants to meet customers’ critical energy needs.

This real-life event is just one example of why We Energies is looking to invest in modern natural gas infrastructure — while at the same time building more renewable energy.

Quick-start power

In a world that has never been more reliant on power, We Energies is delivering reliable energy 24 hours a day. As We Energies transforms its power generation fleet to support reliability and economic growth, it is investing in a balanced mix of wind, solar, energy storage and natural gas.

The company’s proposed natural gas generating facilities are an important step to ensure reliability for customers during the transition to a cleaner energy future in Wisconsin.

Now more than ever, it is critical to have quick-start gas plants available and running when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine. It goes beyond keeping the lights on — it means keeping customers safe and businesses running during the most extreme weather conditions.

That is exactly what happened last summer.

Beating the sweltering heat: Sun and wind not enough

In late August 2024, a dangerous heat wave hit Wisconsin. The heat index topped 100 degrees, prompting the National Weather Service to issue heat warnings.

Low wind across the state and the Midwest left wind turbines nearly still. We Energies solar plants worked well during the daytime, but stopped producing as the sun began to set.

However, the hot temperatures didn’t fall with the sun. Upper 90s and triple digit heat indexes lasted well into the night — meaning customers still desperately needed energy to keep themselves safe and cool.

That is where We Energies quick-start natural gas plants saved the day. As the chart below shows, on Aug. 26 and Aug. 27 these natural gas plants provided 1,000 to 2,000 megawatts of critical energy each hour to meet customer demand.

Wind droughts cause concern

The August 2024 heat wave and necessary response from We Energies are not unique.

Two recent examples show how important it is to have quick-start power available.

In July, the regional grid operator serving Wisconsin and 14 other states reported two wind droughts in a single week. A wind drought is a prolonged period of low wind speeds, meaning little to no power generation from wind turbines.

According to MISO, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, wind generation fell to nearly zero on back-to-back summer days (see chart below).

Winter Storm Uri, which froze much of the country in January 2021, is another example. Power grids across the U.S. saw a 12-day wind drought. The extended low wind speeds and bitter cold temperatures created life-threatening situations for customers.

In both of these scenarios, it was We Energies’ ability to quickly start power generation that keep the energy flowing in Wisconsin.

Natural gas is a critical resource

We Energies plans to build new natural gas plants, along with new renewable energy, are part of a nationwide trend focusing on reliability.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is the country’s independent electric grid watchdog. It is highlighting the importance of power generation facilities, such as natural gas plants, that do not rely solely on the sun and wind.

In a report issued late last year, the group noted, “Natural-gas-fired generators are and will remain a critical resource for bulk power system reliability in many areas over the 10-year assessment period, especially during winter.”

NERC’s report shows that as coal plants are replaced with solar and wind generation, natural gas plants provide a critical backup.

The report also noted, “Severe winter weather events in 2021 and 2022 provided stark evidence of the critical nature of natural gas as a generator fuel and the importance of secure supplies during times of extreme electricity demand.”

The facts around We Energies’ plans

The We Energies plans to invest in both natural gas and renewable energy projects will continue to reduce emissions and support reliability, while strengthening economic development and job growth. The company’s plans include:

• Investing $9.1 billion in new renewable energy by 2029 — including solar, wind and battery storage.
• Modernizing natural gas generation with quick-start power plants and natural gas storage.
• Closing older, less efficient coal plants and transitioning some coal units to natural gas.
• Eliminating coal as an energy source by end of 2032.
• Strengthening the power grid against severe weather.
• Making critical investments in storm hardening and grid resiliency, including increased tree trimming, adding advanced grid technology and burying hundreds of miles of power lines.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.