Loudon Utilities Board discussed at a Jan. 9 workshop the Christmas weekend rolling power blackouts instituted by Tennessee Valley Authority because of cold weather and high demand.
Ty Ross, general manager, thanked LUB electric department employees, adding that water and sewer department crews also did a great job dealing with issues related to frozen and burst pipes.
Ross said he was in the office over the holiday weekend and was impressed with the amount of activity and the number of employees on duty.
“Christmas was just like a regular workday,” he said.
LUB Chairman Don Campbell said he also appreciated the work of the electric department.
“You did a wonderful job,” Campbell said. “More than we can express.”
Gene Farmer, LUB board member, called for a round of applause for electric department workers. Bill Watkins, director of the electric department, thanked crews and engineers.
Ross said TVA is conducting an internal review of the blackout and meeting with local power companies to discuss the issue. A press release from TVA was distributed at the LUB meeting.
Sustained record-breaking cold temperatures and high winds related to winter storm Elliot strained power grids across the nation. During a 24-hour period Dec. 28, TVA supplied more power than at any time in its nearly 90-year history, producing the highest winter power peak on record, according to the release.
On two occasions during a 24-hour period, TVA directed local power companies to reduce power consumption.
On Dec. 23, a 5 percent systemwide power consumption reduction was implemented for two hours and 15 minutes. On Dec. 24, a systemwide power consumption reduction in 5-10 percent curtailments was put in place for 5 hours and 40 minutes.
Most local power companies were able to target reductions that impacted customers for relatively short durations.
“We at TVA take full responsibility for the impact we had on our customers,” according to the release. “We never want to impact anyone’s energy at any time. This is not the way we want to serve our communities and customers.”
TVA is conducting a review of what occurred and why, indicating a plan to share lessons learned and the corrective action being taken to ensure the organization can manage significant events in the future.
Actions being reviewed include facility winterization practices and preventive maintenance activities pertaining to the Emergency Load Curtailment Program. TVA is also reviewing communication with local power companies, industrial customers, key stakeholders and the public to ensure timely, accurate and actionable information is provided.
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