Texans Asked To Conserve Electricity During Extreme Cold
Today the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is asking electric consumers to reduce electric consumption from 5 p.m. today through Noon on Friday, February 7.
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Today the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is asking electric consumers to reduce electric consumption from 5 p.m. today through Noon on Friday, February 7.
The operator of the electricity transmission grid for most of Texas says this week's freezing temperatures have pushed demand for power in the state to a new winter record.
The extremely cold weather on Tuesday morning had North Texans cranking up their heat for the second day in a row, and the area hit a new high for power usage.
Many folks across Texas are probably tempted to crank up the heat on Tuesday morning. But the demand for electricity could mean power problems throughout the state.
The low temperatures in North Texas created a high demand for electricity
Though rolling blackouts are not expected, freezing temperatures across much of Texas have led officials to issue an "Energy Emergency Alert" to protect the grid.
The manager of the electric grid that serves most of the state said that it is ready to meet the power demands expected in Texas this coming autumn and winter.
With Thursday's predicted high of 104 - and a possible heat index of 108 – ERCOT, which operates the state's power grid, will be busy keeping things cool.
As temperatures continue to rise across the metroplex this week, there has also been a rise in North Texas energy use. According to ERCOT, Monday was a 2013 landmark for statewide energy use.
The agency that oversees most of the Texas power grid says future power projections have improved but the state could still struggle with peak demand — possibly even next summer.
There are some words of concern from officials at ERCOT. While the state has adequate resources to survive a cold winter and a hot spring, the long-term outlook is a bit different.
Yesterday the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) announced that electricity demand had set a new July record. Today the electric grid operator for most of the state is recommending conservation.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) announced Tuesday that the demand on its power grid peaked at 65,790 megawatts (MW) setting a new July record.
The Texas power grid barely has enough electricity to meet demand this summer, and an unexpected drop in generation or spike in demand could lead to rolling blackouts, the president of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas testified Tuesday.
The Texas Public Utility Commission voted Thursday to raise the wholesale electricity price cap by 50 percent this summer in a move it hopes will spur construction of new power plants.
The Texas Public Utility Commission is considering raising the price cap on wholesale electricity rates by 50 percent this summer in hopes it will spur construction of new power plants.
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As it stands, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is performing under normal conditions and no emergency electricity alerts have been issued, but persistent hot weather could change that.
With temperatures reaching into the triple-digits for the second day on Monday, the demand for electricity is expected to be overwhelming. But ERCOT is keeping an eye on the grid.
ERCOT has released a free app that provides updates on the status of the state's electric grid and tips on how to conserve power when conservation efforts are needed most.
ERCOT says the state should have enough power to get through this summer without rolling blackouts, but reserves could be running below target levels by 2014 and tapped out completely by 2022.
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