HOUSTON – As Texas braces for another hot summer, ERCOT’s latest Monthly Outlook for Resource Adequacy (MORA) report is raising concerns about the state’s power grid stability in August.
The report, released in June, highlights a significant risk of Energy Emergency Alerts (EEAs) and potential controlled outages during peak demand periods, especially in the evening.
Recommended Videos
The elevated risks come after sundown, peaking at 16% from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. when there will likely be a high electricity demand and declining solar production. Also, the risk of rolling blackouts during the 8 p.m. hour is at 12%, according to the report.
ERCOT, the entity responsible for managing the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers, also added a wind report, showing that low wind production is a major risk for the grid, making it harder to maintain enough backup power. Under normal conditions, according to the report, the grid should have enough power during the highest risk times, but the situation could still be very fragile.
In response to its findings, ERCOT said it’s studying what might happen if there’s not much wind, especially in the evening when people use a lot of electricity. They’re doing tests with different wind levels to see how it could affect things and figure out how to prevent problems with power lines.
In August, the electricity reserve margin for the highest-risk hour (9 p.m.) is expected to be 17.9%, indicating a small buffer. The ratio of installed dispatchable capacity to total capacity is 59%, but 83% is available and dispatchable during critical hours.
The report found that in August, the energy demand throughout the state of Texas could reach as high as 78,000 megawatts, which is just under the state’s projected supply of more than 81,000 megawatts for the month.
The peak electricity demand for August is forecasted to be 81,805 megawatts, including a 595 MW adjustment for large loads. ERCOT expects the total installed capacity to increase by 1,552 megawatts from July to August, mainly due to new solar, wind, and battery storage projects.
The MORA report outlines the following notable developments:
- Solar - An additional 1,080 MW
- Wind - An additional 453 MW
- Battery Storage - An additional 141 MW
- Diesel - An additional 10 MW
- Gas-fired Sources - A net decrease of 132 MW due to updated ratings for synchronized resources
Since the severe winter storm in February 2021, which caused widespread blackouts leaving millions without power, there has been increased attention on the state’s power grid. In response, ERCOT and state lawmakers have taken steps to strengthen the grid’s resilience. This includes adding more power generation capacity and improving the winterization of power plants.
ERCOT’s MORA for August:
If you need help staying cool this summer, Reliant’s Beat the Heat program is back, offering portable air conditioners to eligible seniors, disabled individuals, and families who cannot afford to cool their homes. Also, they’re opening a number of facilities around the Houston area where residents can go to stay cool. For more information, click here.