The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has released its 2025 Summer Reliability Assessment (SRA), highlighting where utilities should focus efforts to bolster operational resilience in anticipation of high seasonal electricity demand.
According to The Washington Post, a forecasted 10 GW increase in summer peak demand—twice last year’s growth—could match the consumption of approximately 10 million homes. NERC’s assessment helps guide utilities toward ensuring system readiness across multiple regions.
Let’s explore the details.
Table of Contents
- Where Grid Readiness is Most Critical
- Demand-Side Pressures: Weather, Heat, and AI
- Supply-Side Factors: Maintenance, Storage, and Supply Chains
- Recommendations for Utility Leaders
- Mysa Smart Thermostats and Demand Response: A Scalable Solution
- Looking Forward
1. Where Grid Readiness is Most Critical
The report identifies regions where system operators should be especially proactive under potential high-load conditions:
- Texas and the ERCOT system
- Midwestern and Central U.S. regions
- New England
- Central Canada, including Saskatchewan
These areas are expected to require additional planning and coordination to maintain operational flexibility if temperatures rise above seasonal norms or loads spike unexpectedly.
2. Demand-Side Pressures: Weather, Heat, and AI
Several converging demand-side trends are increasing pressure on summer planning:
- Above-average heat and below-average precipitation, along with elevated wildfire risk in the West
- Preemptive circuit shutoffs in wildfire-prone regions as a protective measure
- A significant rise in commercial electricity use, including data center and AI-related load growth
These trends require forward-looking forecasting and infrastructure alignment to maintain performance under high-demand scenarios.
3. Supply-Side Factors: Maintenance, Storage, and Supply Chains
Utilities are also navigating evolving supply-side dynamics:
- Aging generation assets require more frequent maintenance and upgrade schedules
- Legacy infrastructure, especially in the Southwest, includes plants over 60 years old
- Clean energy additions such as solar and wind are contributing valuable capacity, though actual dispatchable output is influenced by weather variability
- Inverter-based resources (IBRs)—including solar, wind, and batteries—require tuning to respond optimally to grid events
- Supply chain delays for critical components, such as power transformers, remain extended with lead times reaching 80–210 weeks
In this context, utilities that plan conservatively and coordinate proactively will be best positioned to ensure continuous service.
4. Recommendations for Utility Leaders
NERC encourages utility leaders and grid operators to adopt a resilience-first approach through:
- Robust communication strategies for anticipated supply constraints
- Early and aligned maintenance coordination protocols
- Expanded investment in demand-side flexibility tools
- Partnership with state and regional regulators to strengthen emergency preparedness
- Deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to reinforce dispatchable capacity
Texas, for example, is already leveraging 7.5 GW of new battery storage to support ERCOT's high-load season with scalable, clean solutions.
5. Mysa Smart Thermostats and Demand Response: A Scalable Solution
Mysa Smart Thermostat are proving to be effective, adaptable tools in helping utilities maintain grid balance during peak use periods
Benefits include:
- Real-time demand moderation with minimal impact to occupant comfort
- Customer opt-in flexibility, with built-in incentive structures
- Seamless integration into broader grid modernization initiatives
Mysa Smart Thermostats for Electric Baseboard Heaters are currently used in winter demand response programs across North America, with plans to integrate the Mysa Smart Thermostat for Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps, Window, and Portable AC into existing and future programming to scale DR residential uptake.Mysa works with utility partners across North America, such as:
With a proven track record of success in DR programming and grid resilience enhancement across the continent, Mysa works with utilities to grow their demand-side strategies while delivering value to both the grid and their customers.6. Looking Forward
Increased temperatures, aging assets, and shifting demand patterns are converging—making resilience and responsiveness the top priorities for utility decision-makers this summer.
Looking to strengthen your demand-side capabilities? We’re here to help you align smart technology with grid-wide goals. Contact Mysa’s Utilities Team to explore our demand response-ready thermostat solutions.