To reduce strain on the grid, ERCOT will pay big energy users like manufacturers and bitcoin miners to reduce the power they use. That frees up more electrons for others and keeps supply and demand balanced.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has asked people to voluntarily conserve energy six times over the last 11 days. ERCOT says the requests help reduce strain on the power grid when demand is high and supply is tight. But the frequency of these conservation calls has provoked frustration among some Texans.The idea of getting paid to not use electricity may seem novel. It’s not. Pay-to-conserve agreements are often called demand-response programs.
Doug Lewin, an energy consultant who writes the Texas Energy and Power Newsletter, says other grid operators have successful programs that compensate residential ratepayers to conserve as well. “Residential customers pay higher rates than big customers do outside of even those [demand response] opportunities. So it is inequitable,” he said. “There is every reason from a reliability and an affordability and fairness perspective to give those opportunities to residential consumers.”
In some parts of the state, residential consumers can participate in demand-response programs through their local utility. In Austin, for example, consumersfor using"smart thermostats" that lower their AC in response to high demand. Austin Energy says the system has a proven track record of reducing energy use, even though participants can still manually turn the AC back up.to support it. Your gift pays for everything you find on KUT.org. Thanks for donating today.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Texans escape rolling blackouts after near energy emergencyERCOT is forecasting that supply and demand could again be tight Sunday.
Read more »
Why you sweat, and why that's a good thingDuring this summer of record-breaking heat, no other bodily function is so essential yet so misunderstood. What exactly does excreting water through our skin do for us?
Read more »
ERCOT asks Texans to conserve electricity Sunday afternoon, eveningFor a fourth day in a row, ERCOT has issued a conservation appeal for Texas residents and businesses.
Read more »
Energy conservation request issued Sunday evening by ERCOTExpected low wind-power generation, potential low solar generation — ERCOT asks for conservation between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. CT
Read more »
ERCOT issues conservation request for 4th day in a rowERCOT is asking Texans to save energy Sunday to help the state's power grid. It's the fourth straight day Texas' power grid operator has asked people to conserve energy.
Read more »