The US Northeast experienced an extratropical cyclone, commonly known as a Nor’easter, on February 23, 2026. The storm affected the East coast from Delaware North through New England, producing blizzard conditions and leaving multiple feet of snow in its wake. The storm provides an opportunity to observe the response of the New England Independent System Operator (ISONE) and the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) under relatively severe, though neither unique nor unprecedented, winter conditions.
The graph below shows the electric generation fuel mix employed by ISONE during the period leading up to and including the February 23rd storm. There is inconsistent solar and wind contribution to load on each day. Interestingly, much of the solar contribution is from behind-the-meter (BTM) solar arrays. On the day of the storm, solar generation virtually disappeared with the exception of the excess BTM solar delivered to the grid. However, wind generation increased and became more consistent during the storm because of the blizzard conditions. Nuclear generation was consistent over the period. Hydro generation was maintained throughout the period, increased slightly during the morning “duck peak” and significantly during the early evening “duck peak”. Refuse and wood generation provided consistent but minor contributions. Natural gas generation provided the majority of generation over the period, providing the primary load following response.
The graph below shows the generation fuel mix during the February 23rd storm in greater detail. The consistency of wind generation over the day is obvious, as is the extremely limited solar contribution, again primarily from BTM solar arrays.
The graph below shows the contribution of renewable generation over the period in terms of both generation capacity provided and share of total generation provided. The renewable contribution varies from approximately 1.8 – 3.2 GW, driven primarily by changes in hydro generation. The renewable share of generation fluctuates around 20%.
The graph below shows the generation fuel mix for NYISO during the period leading up to and including the February 23rd storm. Nuclear provided consistent generation over the period. Hydro generation was increased during both the early morning and evening “duck peaks” to assist in meeting increased demand. The bulk of demand was met by a combination of dual fuel and natural gas generation, likely because insufficient natural gas was available for electric generation due to increased firm customer demand. Solar and wind both performed inconsistently over the period. All of the solar contribution was excess BTM solar delivered to the grid.
The graph below shows the fuel mix during the February storm in greater detail. The solar contribution is all excess BTM solar delivered to the grid. The wind contribution increased throughout the day. There were also minor contributions from other renewables and other fossil fuels.
The graph below shows the contribution of renewable generation over the period in terms of both generation capacity provided and share of total generation provided. Renewable generation capacity varies from approximately 2 – 4.6 GW, while the share of generation varies from approximately 12 - 22%, predominantly hydro.
The New England ISO states and New York are participants in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is focused on reducing fossil fuel generation and expanding renewable generation. Both ISONE and NYISO have made limited progress in adding renewable generation and essentially no progress in replacing fossil fueled generation. Note that there is no contribution of energy storage of any type in either of the fuel mixes. A combination of excess renewable generation and storage is essential to replacing reliable generating capacity, rather than merely displacing some portion of its output when renewable generation is available.
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