ERCOT Urgently Appeals to Texans: Conserve Energy amidst Intense Heatwave

As the sun blazed down on Texas, turning the Lone Star State into a veritable furnace, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued an urgent plea to its residents. The message was clear and simple – conserve energy to avoid potential blackouts.

ERCOT, the organization responsible for managing electric power to over 26 million customers in Texas, representing a staggering 90% of the state’s electric load, found itself grappling with a perfect storm of conditions.

The mercury soared past 115 degrees in parts of Texas, triggering an excessive heat warning. This extreme weather led to a surge in demand for electricity, straining the grid to its limits.

Texas power prices have surged 6,000%, climbing toward the $5,000 price cap, leading the state grid to ask consumers to voluntary cut energy usage

— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) August 18, 2023

But the challenges didn’t stop there. ERCOT also reported lower reserves due to low wind generation. The wind turbines, usually a reliable source of renewable energy, were not producing enough power.

This combination of high demand and low supply created a precarious situation that threatened the stability of the state’s power grid.

In response, ERCOT took the unusual step of issuing a Voluntary Conservation Notice. The notice, which was in effect from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on August 17, asked Texans to voluntarily reduce their electric use if it was safe to do so.

This was not a decision taken lightly, but a necessary measure to ensure the continued reliability of the state’s power supply.

The call to action was clear. Texans were urged to take steps to cut their electricity use. This could include actions such as turning off unnecessary lights, adjusting thermostats, and avoiding the use of large appliances during peak hours.

Every little bit helps when it comes to conserving energy and ensuring the stability of the grid.

I don’t have the data in front of me, but if memory serves some 80% of the increase in power generation capacity on the Texas power grid in the last several years has been from renewables. Primarily wind. https://t.co/sJ5NF1X6fR

— Peter Zeihan (@PeterZeihan) August 12, 2023

This situation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges we face in maintaining a reliable power supply in the face of extreme weather conditions.

It also underscores the importance of diversifying our energy sources and investing in infrastructure to ensure the resilience of our power grid.

This article appeared in FreshOffThePress and has been published here with permission.