For Data Lovers--Hourly Grid Operating Information Is Now Available from the EIA

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

The U.S. Energy Information Administration is now providing hourly electricity system operating data in nearly real-time. In their new U.S. Electric System Operating Data tool, the EIA provides information including actual and forecast demand, net generation, and power flows for the continental United States (including its flows in/out of Canada and Mexico). Data are refreshed every 15 minutes on the site.

For example, one can view daily demand curves for the continental United States. Or, they can zoom into one of thirteen regions:

1. California

2. Northwest

3. Southwest

4. Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)

5. Central

6. Midwest

7. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

8. Southeast

9. Florida

10. Carolinas

11. Mid-Atlantic

12. New York Independent System Operator

13. New England Independent System Operator

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Below is the chart for July 30, 2016 for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas – including demand on the chosen day compared to the day before, the week before, and the year before. In this chart, demand patterns appear quite similar amongst the days shown - showing consistent demand trends on the days displayed.

Conversely, in California there appears to have been a but more variation from July 30 versus the previous Saturday as shown by the difference between the blue and green lines.