AUSTIN, Texas (KBTX) – As most parts of Texas experience record temperatures amid a heat wave, ERCOT is asking Texans to conserve energy.
ERCOT is asking Texans and Texas businesses to voluntarily conserve electricity Monday, July 11th between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. ERCOT has also issued a warning of a projected shortage of backup capacity from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. No outages are currently expected throughout the system.
ERCOT urges residents to conserve energy when they can by turning up thermostats a degree or two if convenient and delaying running major appliances or pool pumps during afternoon peak hours.
ERCOT says the factors driving the need to conserve energy are due to record high demand for electricity. According to a statement, the heat wave that has gripped Texas and much of the central states is leading to increased electricity use. ERCOT says light winds are also a factor. Although solar typically reaches nearly full production capacity, wind generation is currently generating significantly less than it has generated in the past over this time period. Current projections show wind generation coming in at less than 10 percent of capacity.
You can read ERCOT’s full statement below.
AUSTIN, Texas, July 10, 2022 – With extreme hot weather leading to record power demand in Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is issuing a conservation appeal, asking Texans and Texas businesses to voluntarily conserve electricity, Monday , July 11 between 2-8 p.m. ERCOT has also issued an alert for a projected shortage of spare capacity from 2-8 p.m. No system-wide outages are currently expected.
Conservancy is a reliability tool that ERCOT has used more than four dozen times since 2008 to successfully manage grid operations. This notice is issued when forecast reserves may fall below 2,300 MW for 30 minutes or more.
ERCOT encourages all electric customers to visit the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) Power to Save or their electric provider’s websites for important conservation tips. According to the PUC, ways to reduce electricity use during peak hours include turning up the thermostat a degree or two if convenient and delaying the start of major appliances or pool pumps during afternoon peak hours.
ERCOT continues to use all available tools to manage the grid efficiently and reliably, including using backup power and calling on large electric customers who have voluntarily agreed to reduce their energy use.
ERCOT emphasizes that the conservation appeal is limited to the hours of 2 to 8 p.m
Factors driving the need for this important customer action:
- Record high electricity demand. The heat wave that has gripped Texas and much of the central states is causing an increase in electricity use. Other grid operators are operating on similarly conservative operating schedules as ERCOT due to the heat wave.
- Weak wind. While solar power is generally reaching nearly full production capacity, wind power is currently generating significantly less than it has generated in the past over this time period. Current projections show wind generation coming in at less than 10 percent of capacity.
The total forecast demand is 79,671 MW.
How to track electricity demand
· See daily peak demand forecast, current load and available production at http://www.ercot.com.
· Follow ERCOT on Twitter (@ERCOT_ISO) and Facebook (Electric Reliability Council of Texas).
· Sign up for the ERCOT mobile app (available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play).
· Subscribe to the EmergencyAlerts list at http://lists.ercot.com.
Help for users
Texas Public Utilities Commission Hotline – 1-888-782-8477
Copyright 2022 KBTX. All rights reserved.
Add Comment