How Decades of Preparation Prevented a Texas-Sized Nashville Catastrophe

 It’s a little-known fact that Winter Storm Elliott, the weather event just prior to Christmas of 2022, had all the potential of taking down the Tennessee Valley power grid much like the Texas storm of 2021. Fast-falling frigid temperatures wreaked havoc on the power system, creating the need for rolling blackouts. So, what saved the grid? TVA worked with the team at Nashville Electric Service and other distributors in taking action to reduce demand.  

Being the 12^th largest public utility in the U.S. means a lot of residents, visitors and businesses rely on NES to provide safe, reliable and affordable power. The NES takes that responsibility seriously. And even though rolling blackouts had never occurred in the history of TVA and NES, they had been planning for such an event for decades. Being TVA’s largest customer meant that our ability to respond to their needs was critical to avoiding a very blue Christmas for all of the Tennessee Valley.

Join FEI Nashville for lunch on March 28th to hear from fellow chapter member Teresa Broyles-Aplin, President and CEO of Nashville Electric Service.  Teresa will describe how the NES has adapted to the past decade's massive expansion in the Tennessee Valley as well as the lessons learned from challenges like Winter Storm Elliott.

Registration Closes Friday, March 24th
Attendees can earn 1.0 Credit of CPE
Open to Members, Strategic Partners and invited guests of FEI Nashville
Interested in attending?  Contact the chapter at [email protected] to learn how to register or how to bring a guest.