The Grid Conditions gauge provides a visual indication of active MISO operational notifications affecting grid reliability. This includes notifications related to electricity supply (capacity) and transmission conditions.
The gauge is intended for situational awareness only and updates when an alert, advisory, warning, emergency event, or termination instruction becomes effective—not when the notification is issued.
Disclaimer: MISO notifications are official communications authored by the control room shift manager. The notification takes precedence over what may be shared visually on the Grid Conditions gauge.
Green - Normal Conditions
Under normal grid conditions, the needle points to the green section of the gauge, indicating the grid is stable.
If MISO issues a weather-related alert or load pocket advisory, a "View Notifications" button appears below the gauge, allowing users to read the official notification issued by the control room shift manager. Notifications include specific information to include impacted areas and start/stop times.
Yellow - Advisory/Warning Conditions
When the needle points to yellow, MISO is signaling changing conditions require increased operational awareness or preparation. When active, the following control room declarations move the gauge to Yellow:
Conservative Operations
This situational awareness notification asks MISO members to defer, delay, or recall non-essential maintenance activities. It signals that grid conditions may require additional operational attention.
Capacity Advisory
This situational awareness notification informs MISO members that projected electricity demand and available supply may require additional generation resources in the coming days.
Transmission Advisory
This notification alerts MISO members to forecasted transmission system conditions that could negatively impact the high-voltage electric grid but do not yet require more significant operational actions.
Maximum Generation Warning
This notification alerts MISO members that electricity demand is increasing and operating reserves may become insufficient without operational action. It asks member operators to prepare for the possibility of escalating emergency procedures, including an Energy Emergency Alert.
Orange - Elevated Risk Conditions
When the needle points to orange, an operational notification has taken effect requiring immediate action to maintain grid reliability. The gauge will indicate one of the following:
Energy Emergency Alert 1 (EEA1)
EEA1 is the first level of emergency action and is declared when MISO can no longer meet projected electricity demand and operating reserve requirements without intervention. In simple terms, it means electricity demand could exceed available supply if no action is taken.
When EEA1 is active, MISO operators can access additional generation resources to increase available supply and maintain grid reliability.
Transmission Warning
A Transmission Warning takes effect when transmission system conditions present a credible risk to the high-voltage electric grid and normal mitigation efforts are not expected to be sufficient. This notification signals that immediate operational action is needed to protect reliability and reduce the risk of service interruptions.
Dark Orange - Emergency Conditions
When the needle points to dark orange, an Energy Emergency Alert 2 (EEA2) has taken effect, requiring escalated emergency actions to maintain grid reliability.
Energy Emergency Alert 2 (EEA2)
EEA2 is the second level of energy emergency action. It takes effect as operating reserves continue to decline and additional actions are needed to balance electricity supply and demand.
When EEA2 is active, MISO operators can access emergency generation resources not available under normal conditions. They may also secure emergency energy from neighboring grids, when available, and implement additional procedures designed to reduce electricity demand.
Public Appeal
During an EEA2, there may be a need for MISO to issue a public appeal notification which instructs member utilities to encourage their customers to voluntarily conserve electricity. If the shift manager finds it necessary to implement this step, the notification will be posted to the public website and the words "Public Appeal" will appear under the needle of the grid conditions gauge.
Note: The Public Appeal notification is never triggered automatically. During an EEA2, it is one of several options the shift manager has available to assist with reducing electricity demand.
Red - Severe Emergency
When the needle points to red, a severe grid emergency has taken effect requiring immediate action to protect grid reliability. The gauge will indicate one of the following:
Energy Emergency Alert 3 (EEA3)
EEA3 is the highest level of energy emergency action. It takes effect when electricity supply and demand can no longer be balanced and power interruptions are imminent or already occurring.
Power interruptions, also known as load shed, are a last-resort measure used to protect the grid from uncontrolled, widespread outages. In these rare situations, MISO determines where and how much electricity must be reduced to restore balance and protect reliability. Member utilities implement the power interruptions and determine which customers will be temporarily impacted.
Transmission Emergency
A Transmission Emergency takes effect when transmission system conditions create an immediate threat to the reliability of the high-voltage electric grid and require urgent emergency action to prevent widespread impacts.
These situations may require immediate operational actions, including power interruptions, to protect the grid and maintain reliability.