The Department of Energy’s Resource Adequacy Report
largely parallels NERC reliability assessment methods and conclusions. Noting
some important differences in data and assumptions driven by the timing and
scope of the Executive Order, NERC assessments and the DOE report agree on the
general conclusion. To support overall system reliability, there is an urgent
need to maintain adequate levels of generation to serve rapidly escalating
demand and address the energy uncertainty from variable energy resources. By
illuminating risk from the current pace of generator retirements, the DOE
report is a useful tool helping the department and all stakeholders promote a
diverse resource mix to sustain reliability.
