Changes to Texas’ power grid have improved ERCOT’s ability to keep power flowing during major winter storms, but in an extreme scenario, the grid could still face rolling blackouts, a seasonal assessment shows.
Electrical workers repair a power line in Austin on Feb. 18, 2021 during the winter storm that nearly collapsed the state's power grid. The state grid operator's seasonal forecast says extreme weather this winter could lead to calls to reduce power use or even rolling blackouts., our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
And in the most extreme scenario considered for this winter — a combination of high electricity usage, power plant outages and very low wind and solar energy production — the grid would need to resort to rolling blackouts, the report shows. “This analysis is arithmetic,” Lake said. “It doesn’t account for the many reforms we’ve put in place, like better communication and coordination.”Peter Lake, left, chair of the Public Utility Commission, and ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas speak about grid reliability at a press conference Tuesday at the commission headquarters in Austin.
Power grids must keep supply and demand in balance at all times. When power demand comes close to exceeding supply, ERCOT takes precautions to avoid uncontrolled blackouts, such as asking residents and businesses to conserve power, and if the situation worsens, implementing controlled rolling outages.
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.
Texas power grid is ready for winter, Public Utility Commission, ERCOT sayLeaders from the Public Utility Commission of Texas and ERCOT say upgrades to the state's power grid have it ready for the cold this winter.
Read more »
Texas Rangers podcast examines history of TexasA new Texas Monthly podcast examines the history of the Rangers, the storied Texas police force whose image has been burnished in countless Hollywood renderings.
Read more »
Coming Up: PUCT, ERCOT to Deliver Briefing on Power Grid's ReadinessPublic Utility Commission of Texas Chairman Peter Lake and the CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Pablo Vargas, will provide a briefing Tuesday afternoon on the grid's readiness.
Read more »
LIVE NOW: PUCT, ERCOT to Deliver Briefing on Power Grid's ReadinessPublic Utility Commission of Texas Chairman Peter Lake and the CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Pablo Vargas, will provide a briefing Tuesday afternoon on the grid's readiness to deliver power in winter weather.
Read more »
ERCOT expects to be able to meet winter demand, but extreme scenario could cause blackouts
Read more »