HOUSTON – ERCOT is once again asking Texans to conserve electricity this week as hot weather continues driving record power demands across the state.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued the conservation appeal for Wednesday, July 13 between 2 to 8 p.m. Currently, according to the company, no system-wide outages are expected.
ERCOT said that Wednesday’s temperatures were similar to Monday’s temperatures, both reaching the triple digits.
According to the Public Utility Commission (PUC), ways to reduce electricity use during peak times include turning up your thermostat a degree or two, if comfortable, and postponing running major appliances or pool pumps during the requested timeframe.
ERCOT said it will continue to use all tools available to manage the grid effectively and reliably, including using reserve power and calling upon large electric customers who have volunteered to lower their energy use.
Factors driving the need for this important action by customers:
- Record high electric demand. The heat wave that has settled on Texas and much of the central United States is driving increased electric use. Other grid operators are operating under similar conservative operations programs as ERCOT due to the heatwave.
- Low wind. Wind generation is currently generating less than what is historically generated in this time period.
- Forced thermal outages. The number of forced outages in thermal generation exceeds ERCOT forecasts.
- Solar. Developing cloud cover in West Texas has reduced the amount of solar generation
How to track electricity demand
· View daily peak demand forecast, current load, and available generation 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 at the Apple App Store and Google Play).
· Subscribe to the EmergencyAlerts list at EmergencyAlerts.
Wednesday’s conservation alert was issued right as members of Rebuilding Together Houston, a local non-profit that helps low-income families with home repairs, were in Houston’s East End installing A/C window units, thanks to its Safe and Sound Services program.
“We were able to come in and install those units, and now they will be able to have a summer where they have air conditioning throughout the home,” said Thierry Tchenko with Rebuilding Together Houston.
If you live in Houston’s East End, Third Ward or you’re a veteran in Harris County and need help with home repairs, including free A/C and installation, you can reach Rebuilding Together Houston at (713) 659-2511 or apply online at Rebuildinghouston.org.