PJM’s dispatch of demand response helped avoid the need to shed load during the polar vortex Jan. 7, when the RTO set a new winter demand record of about 141,500 MW.

PJM dispatched DR for both the morning and evening peaks. An estimated 2,029 MW responded for hour ending 1800, according to the graphs released by PJM last week (above). Actual reductions will be known after customer meter data is provided.