Summary
Cold snaps can compress grid stress into a short “peak window” when demand rises and operational risk tightens. This week’s winter conditions are driving public warnings in Ontario and elevated demand expectations in U.S. markets. The practical takeaway for C&I energy teams: treat these periods like an operating scenario with a short readiness checklist, not an unexpected disruption.¹²³
Key takeaways
- Peak windows are short. A few hours can matter more than a week of “normal” days.
- Use public signals to trigger readiness: weather warnings + grid operator notifications.¹²³
- Execution wins: a current load list, working telemetry, and a 30-minute tabletop drill.
- Cross-border operators should standardize the playbook format and localize program details.
Talk to an energy expert. Rodan Energy can help you pressure-test your readiness playbook across Ontario, PJM, and MISO sites.
A cold snap is not just a weather story. For large commercial and industrial sites, it can become a short, high-stakes operating period where costs, reliability risk, and operational strain rise at the same time.
Public signals are already pointing to tighter conditions across Ontario and parts of the U.S. In Ontario, Environment and Climate Change Canada posted winter weather warnings on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. (1) In the U.S., Reuters reported PJM forecast demand that could set an all-time winter record on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (2) MISO also posted a Cold Weather Alert in mid-January through its real-time operations notifications. (3)
Forecasts do not guarantee outcomes. They do tell you when to move from normal operations to readiness mode.
What a “peak window” looks like during extreme cold
A peak window is a short period when demand and system conditions tighten enough that operational discipline matters more than it does on a typical day. You see it in three places:
- Demand pressure: heating load climbs across buildings and processes.
- Operating constraints: equipment performance and staffing challenges show up faster.
- Decision speed: teams need clear approvals and a shared plan for what can move, what cannot, and how to document actions.
Ontario customers who manage peak exposure often track public demand information and peak-tracking context. The IESO’s Peak Tracker explains how peak tracking works for Class A Global Adjustment and provides related tools. (4)
In PJM and MISO footprints, operator alerts and operational notifications are a practical signal that conditions are tightening and that it is time to double-check readiness. (2)(3)
Signals worth watching
Energy managers do not need a perfect model. They need a short list of signals they can point to and defend internally.
Weather signals
- Official warnings that indicate wind chill, snow squalls, heavy snow, or hazardous travel that can affect staffing, deliveries, and access. (1)
Grid signals
- PJM public demand outlook and reporting that flags sustained high load risk. (2)
- MISO real-time operations notifications, including Cold Weather Alert declarations. (3)
- Ontario peak-tracking context from the IESO for organizations managing peak exposure. (4)
A practical trigger rule
If you have one meaningful weather signal and one meaningful grid signal at the same time, activate readiness mode.
Assign a peak captain
Cold snaps create confusion because decisions are distributed. Assign one person per site to own:
- the readiness huddle
- approvals
- the event log
Business leaders should agree on the boundary conditions. That includes safety limits, quality limits, and any process constraints that cannot be crossed.
Refresh the load-control list
Most large sites have flexible load. The usual gap is that flexibility is not documented with enough detail to execute cleanly.
For each controllable load, capture:
- control method (manual, BAS/EMS, PLC, vendor)
- ramp time and expected duration
- constraints (quality, safety, process limits)
- recovery plan, including how you avoid rebound peaks
This list should be short enough to use under pressure. One page is ideal.
Verify controls and telemetry
Peak response breaks when teams cannot see load, control load, or prove what happened afterward. Confirm:
- interval data access and time sync
- BAS/EMS points work as expected
- on-call list is current
- remote access works for the right roles
If you participate in programs that require verification, treat data readiness as operational risk management, not paperwork.
Pre-stage conservative “no-regrets” moves
These are actions that reduce peak exposure without creating operational risk. Keep them conservative and defendable. Examples include:
- tightening schedules and reducing after-hours drift
- sequencing large loads
- setpoint adjustments within policy
- deferring noncritical processes where feasible
Each site decides what fits. The goal is a short list your operations team accepts.
Run a 30-minute tabletop drill
Pick a hypothetical peak hour and answer three questions:
- What do we shed first, and why?
- Who approves it?
- How do we verify it and record it?
A tabletop drill exposes gaps in approvals, communications, and documentation while the stakes are low.
Rodan Energy can facilitate a short drill and leave your team with a standardized load list and event log template you can reuse across sites.
Operating cadence during the peak window
Use a cadence that matches your organization’s pace and staffing. A simple option looks like this:
- Day-ahead: confirm peak captain, update load list, confirm communications
- Hours-ahead: stage conservative actions, set monitoring and alerts
- One hour ahead: confirm go or no-go, assign monitoring and documentation
- During: execute, monitor, record actions with timestamps
- After: manage recovery and avoid rebound peaks
Keep documentation simple. Timestamped notes and interval data cover most needs.
After the peak: verification and improvement
Capture what happened while it is fresh:
- actions taken with timestamps
- load impact using interval data
- operational impacts (comfort, production, maintenance tickets)
- updates to the load list and the drill script
This is how the playbook gets easier to run the next time.
Cross-border operators: standardize what you can
If you run sites in Ontario plus PJM and MISO territories, the market details differ. The operating mechanics can still be standardized.
Standardize:
- trigger definition
- load list format
- operating cadence
- verification and documentation template
Localize:
- program participation requirements
- site constraints and safety rules
- approvals and escalation
This lets leadership compare readiness and performance across sites without forcing every location to reinvent the process.
Where Rodan Energy fits
Rodan Energy supports large C&I organizations and grid stakeholders across North America through demand response, DER optimization, Energy Intelligence, and metering, telemetry, and integration services. For this topic, keep the value practical:
- quantify controllable load without disrupting production
- improve readiness with peak risk visibility and repeatable playbooks
- support telemetry and verification so performance is documented
If you want a site-level readiness check before the next cold snap, Rodan Energy can review your load list, controls, and telemetry readiness, then deliver a practical action plan.
FAQs
What is a peak window?
A short period when demand rises and grid conditions tighten, often during extreme cold.
What should a C&I site do first?
Assign a peak captain, refresh the load-control list, verify telemetry, run a short drill.
What should Ontario sites monitor?
Official weather warnings and IESO Peak Tracker information for peak-tracking context. (1)(4)
What should PJM and MISO sites monitor?
PJM demand outlook reporting and MISO real-time operations notifications. (2)(3)
GEO keywords: Ontario, PJM, MISO, cold snap, winter peak demand, Cold Weather Alert, Peak Tracker, telemetry, interval data, C&I readiness.
References
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, weather alerts for Innisfil–New Tecumseth–Angus.
- Reuters, “Largest US electric grid expects all-time record winter demand” (Jan. 22, 2026).
- IESO, Peak Tracker.
