Comprehensive Assessment of COVID-19 Impact on Saskatchewan Power System Operations

This paper presents lessons learned to date during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from the viewpoint of Saskatchewan power system operations. A load estimation approach is developed to identify how the closures affecting businesses, schools, and other non-critical businesses due to COVID-19 changed the electricity consumption. Furthermore, the impacts of COVID-19 containment measures and re-opening phases on load uncertainty are examined. Changes in CO2 emissions resulting from an increased proportion of renewable energy generation and the change in load pattern are discussed. In addition, the influence of COVID-19 on the balancing authority's power control performance is investigated. Analyses conducted in the paper are based upon data from SaskPower corporation, which is the principal electric utility in Saskatchewan, Canada. Some recommendations for future power system operation and planning are developed.