ERCOT Asking For Power Conservation To Avoid More Rolling Blackouts

With much of Texas again in the grip of winter weather, ERCOT – the Electric Reliability Council of Texas – is again asking power consumers to reduce their electricity use during peak hours to avoid the rolling blackouts seen last week.

ERCOT grid operators are urging consumers and businesses to conserve electricity from 6-9 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. over the next few days as severe cold weather returns to the area.

“The National Weather Service is anticipating severe cold weather statewide this week, as another arctic air mass is expected to reach deep into Texas, dropping temperatures back into the teens and twenties,” ERCOT CEO Trip Doggett said. “In anticipation of this severe cold weather, ERCOT will procure additional generation capacity for real-time operations to help maintain reliable delivery of power during this extreme weather event over the next few days.”

Today’s peak demand is currently projected to be more than 54,000 MW between 8-9 p.m. , and more than 58,000 – which would be a new winter record – between 7-8 a.m. on Thursday.

The current winter peak demand record is 56,334 MW which occurred just last week on Feb. 2, between 7 and 8 p.m.

The grid continues to have about 2,700 MW of generation capacity unavailable because of unplanned or forced outages.

“Although we have no immediate concerns for the possibility of rotating outages tomorrow morning, ERCOT will be monitoring the grid closely because additional unexpected major losses of generation could force operators and utilities to begin emergency procedures to avoid an uncontrolled statewide blackout,” Doggett said. “Rotating outages are ordered only as a last resort to ensure the security of the statewide transmission grid. “

Some conservation tips offered by ERCOT include:

• Turn thermostats to 68 degrees or below in the daytime and to 55 degrees at night or when leaving for the day.
• Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.
• Avoid running large appliances such as washers, dryers, and electric ovens during peak energy demand hours.
• Close shades and blinds at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.
• Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.
• Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.