AUSTIN, Texas (KBTX) -Because most parts of Texas see record temperatures amid a heat wave, ERCOT is asking jeans to save energy.
ERCOT calls on Texans and Texas businesses to save electricity on a voluntary basis, Monday, July 11 between 2 and 8 p.m. ERCOT also issued an alert for the expected reserve capacity shortage of 14 to 20 hours. No system-wide interruptions are expected at this time.
ERCOT urges residents to save energy when they can by raising thermostats a degree or two, if comfortable, and postponing the operation of large appliances or pool pumps during rush hour hours.
ERCOT says the factors driving the need to conserve energy are due to record high electricity demand. According to a statement, the heat wave that has settled in Texas and much of the central United States is driving an increase in electricity consumption. ERCOT says that low wind is also a factor, while solar energy in general reaches its almost full generation capacity, currently wind generation generates much less than it has historically generated in this time period. Current projections show that wind generation reaches less than 10 percent of its capacity.
The full ERCOT statement can be read below.
AUSTIN, TX, July 10, 2022 – With extremely hot weather driving record energy demand across Texas, the Texas Electrical Reliability Council (ERCOT) is issuing a call for conservation, urging Texans and Texas companies that voluntarily save electricity, Monday, July 11 between 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm ERCOT also issued an alert for the expected reserve capacity shortage from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm. No system-wide interruptions are expected at this time.
Conservation is a reliability tool that ERCOT has deployed more than four dozen times since 2008 to successfully manage network operations. This notification is issued when projected reserves may fall below 2300 MW for 30 minutes or more.
ERCOT encourages all electricity customers to visit the Power to Save Public Service Commission (PUC) or their electricity supplier’s websites for important conservation tips. According to the PUC, ways to reduce electricity consumption during rush hours include raising the thermostat a degree or two, if comfortable, and postponing the operation of major appliances or pool pumps during rush hour hours. .
ERCOT continues to use all available tools to manage the grid efficiently and reliably, including the use of backup power and the call to large electricity customers that have been offered to reduce their power consumption.
ERCOT emphasizes that the call for conservation is limited to the hours of 14 to 20 h
Factors that drive the need for this important action by customers:
- Record high electricity demand. The heat wave that has settled in Texas and much of the central United States is driving an increase in electricity consumption. Other network operators are operating under conservative ERCOT-like operations programs due to the heat wave.
- Low wind. Although solar energy in general is reaching its almost total generation capacity, currently wind generation is generating much less than it historically generated in that time period. Current projections show that wind generation reaches less than 10 percent of its capacity.
The total projected demand is 79,671 MW.
How to track electricity demand
· Check the daily peak demand forecast, current load and generation available 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 Emergency Alerts list at http://lists.ercot.com.
Customer service
Texas Public Utility Commission Hotline: 1-888-782-8477
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