Did you know that Texas produces more power than any other state, almost twice as much as Florida, the next closest? Despite the fact that we have more power, we’re also prone to higher temperatures, which we are seeing a lot in early May. We also have the most deregulated and decentralized electric grid, and we’re isolated from the ability to import power from the rest of the country when we need it during temperature extremes.
On May 13, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) announced that six generation plants accounting for 2,900 megawatts (MW) went offline due to unseasonably hot temperatures. Those 2,900 megawatts are enough to power about 580,000 homes. According to ERCOT, “at this time, all reserve generation resources available are operating.”
What does this mean?
Solar is shining and pulling its weight in yet another consecutive week of perilously shaky Texas electrical grid conditions.
“We have a worsening problem that demand for electricity rises wildly with extreme weather, putting huge strains on a system that responds in one or both of two ways—failure and skyrocketing costs, said Karl R. Rábago, Board Member of the Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES). “Now is the time to invest in resources that reduce that vulnerability by working effectively and efficiently when demand increases. Those resources, efficiency and consumer-generated solar, are and can be distributed to benefit all customers.”