Grid Conditions Update – 1 a.m. Feb. 15 – ERCOT has again asked for conservation measures as overnight energy demand is very high. They have issue Energy Emergency Alert EEA1, which calls for everyone to reduce electrical usage as much as possible.

Grid Conditions Update – 10 p.m. – The evening demand peak has passed, and no rolling outages or other measures are likely.

We still encourage conservation measures, as the lowest temperatures are still to come, and additional winter storm activity is expected later in the week.
 
If additional alerts or calls for conservation are issued, or if rolling outages are a possibility in our area, we will do our best to give as much warning as possible.
 
Thank You TVEC Members!

 

Grid Conditions Update – 6 p.m. A renewed call for conservation has come out as an evening demand peak will stretch the limits of current capacity for the ERCOT grid. We are monitoring the situation closely, and request that you make whatever conservation efforts you can.

 
If grid conditions require, there is a possibility for rolling outages. We do not have an indication that this will be the case, but you should be prepared if the necessity arises.
 
Reduction of load would have to begin within an hour of being requested by ERCOT. Please pay attention to local media, this page and tvec.net for advance notice.
 
Any rolling outages would be planned to last about 15 minutes, with more than an hour between outages at any one location. HOWEVER – due to the nature of this weather event, it is possible that restoring the outages would take longer.

 


The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has issued a call for consumers to conserve energy to help reduce load on the state’s electric grid.

Widespread winter storm conditions persist across the state creating very high demand. Reducing load could help reduce the need for mandatory rolling outages.

From ERCOT:

“We are experiencing record-breaking electric demand due to the extreme cold temperatures that have gripped Texas,” said ERCOT President and CEO Bill Magness. “At the same time, we are dealing with higher-than-normal generation outages due to frozen wind turbines and limited natural gas supplies available to generating units. We are asking Texans to take some simple, safe steps to lower their energy use during this time.”

 

Here are some tips to reduce electricity use:

  • Turn down thermostats to 68-degrees.
  • Close shades and blinds to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.
  • Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.
  • Avoid using large appliances (i.e., ovens, washing machines, etc.).
  • 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.

 

Given the prolonged, below-freezing temperatures, conservation measures should be implemented safely and within reason.

 

Full ERCOT statement here.