West DFW News

During the recent cold weather event, the Texas electric grid successfully withstood the severe conditions and ensured that electricity remained available throughout the state. This achievement can be attributed to the various measures implemented since Winter Storm Uri in 2021.

One of the key takeaways from this week's weather event is the record-breaking demand for power. Despite the increased demand, the grid maintained ample reserves and never entered emergency condition status. As mentioned by an official, "During this cold wave we maintained at least 5,000 MW in reserve and had other contingencies available if needed."

Another significant factor contributing to the grid's resilience was the improved performance of the thermal fleet. In response to the outages caused by frozen equipment during Winter Storm Uri, comprehensive weatherization standards were implemented, ensuring that the equipment remained functional. This effort had a positive impact, resulting in thermal forced outages totaling less than half of the previous winter storm.

To enhance grid preparedness and reliability, critical load maps were created to identify the critical infrastructure sources of power. Additionally, the Texas Energy Reliability Council (TERC) was established to improve coordination and communication in the energy and electric industries. These changes proved essential in troubleshooting and expediting timely resolutions during extreme weather events.

The legislature also implemented incentives for generators to have firm fuel and onsite fuel storage. This ensured that thermal plants remained operational during gas curtailments. Furthermore, battery storage emerged as a pleasant addition to the grid, discharging power during peak demand and recharging during non-peak hours.

However, despite these improvements, the reliability of wind and solar generation remains a challenge. While efforts have been made to encourage more dispatchable generation, the subsidies for wind and solar projects by the federal government discourage the construction of reliable natural gas-fired plants.

It is worth noting that ERCOT's power demand forecast was overly conservative during this winter event. This discrepancy between forecast and real-time demand will be explored to improve winter forecasting and avoid unnecessary cost increases for consumers.

Looking towards the future, the approval of Prop 7 during the November 2023 election will incentivize the development of more dispatchable and reliable generation in Texas. The Texas Energy Fund will provide support for new dispatchable generation and necessary improvements to existing dispatchable generators.

The successful performance of the Texas electric grid during this cold wave is a testament to the efforts of the Public Utility Commission, ERCOT, and the cooperation of the electricity industry. Their dedication and implementation of legislative mandates deserve recognition. As one official stated, "The role of the PUC and ERCOT in implementing legislative mandates, and the cooperation and work of the electricity industry, deserve much recognition."

In conclusion, the measures taken since Winter Storm Uri have significantly improved the resilience of the Texas electric grid. The continued efforts to address challenges and improve forecasting will ensure that electricity remains available even during extreme weather events.