Texas grid returns to “normal conditions” after state energy demand nearly exceeds supply The state’s power grid returned to “normal conditions” on Wednesday evening after Texas entered “Energy Emergency Alert 2” halfway through a three-hour conservation appeal.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ conservation appeal period was scheduled to end at 9 p.m., but ERCOT’s dashboard showed that there was enough power to meet the demand at the time.
ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas disclosed earlier in the day that forecasts suggested emergency operations might take place in the evening.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas made the following announcement: “This evening, anticipated low operating reserves for the Texas power grid will result from continued high temperatures, high demand, low wind, and declining solar power generation.”
ERCOT’s grid conditions meter at 7:35 p.m. showed committed capacity of 78,634 megawatts and a demand of 76,698 megawatts, indicating that Texas was less than 2,000 megawatts away from exceeding supply. This demonstrates how dangerously close demand was to supply capacity.
Energy Emergency Alerts (EEAs) are explained by ERCOT. When the system’s reserves run low, ERCOT uses three levels of Energy Emergency Alerts (EEAs) to start emergency operations. In order to safeguard the electric system’s dependability, these levels provide access to additional power sources that can only be used in an emergency. The fact that ERCOT has entered Emergency Operations does not imply that it intends to initiate controlled power outages that would affect all customer classes, including residential, commercial, and industrial customers. When ERCOT enters Emergency Operations, it gains access to additional power reserves that aid in the prevention of power outages.
When ERCOT’s operating reserves fall below 1,750 MWs and are not expected to recover within 30 minutes, an EEA 2 is issued. Controlled outages have not been requested at this time, but if demand does not decrease or additional supply cannot be added from generators, they may become necessary.