Changes to Texas’ power grid have improved its ability to keep power flowing, but in an extreme storm, the grid could still face rolling blackouts, a report shows. Texas PowerGrid ElectricalGrid electricity
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.
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.”ERCOT considered three extreme winter weather scenarios, each for the first time using assumptions based on weather conditions during the February 2021 winter storm that resulted in dayslong blackouts across the state that left millions of Texans without lights or heat in subfreezing temperatures. Hundreds of people died as a result.
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.
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