COVID-19 & the Electric Grid

The major concern about grid security and COVID-19: Each grid control room relies on a handful of control room operators

Corrective measures by power companies:

• require control room operators to live on-site at power plants to reduce the chance of the virus making it in from the outside world
• limiting contact by separating the work force & requiring many to work remotely

Potential legislative or regulatory corrections:

• Moving core utility staff to the definition of first responder

What happened to energy use in China and Italy at the pandemic height? electric use plummeted

WIRED | America’s Electricity is Safe From the Coronavirus—for Now