ERCOT asking Texans to conserve energy Tuesday night

For the fifth time in six days, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is asking Texans to conserve energy. Due to a “high level of unexpected thermal generation outages and forecasted low wind generation, operating reserves for ERCOT are expected to be low in the afternoon and evening. Texans are asked to conserve energy from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday night.

ERCOT said Tuesday’s conservation appeal does not indicate ERCOT is experiencing emergency conditions at this time and will continue to closely monitor conditions throughout the day. The Public Utility Commission of Texas echoed ERCOT’s conservation request.

ERCOT said it is using additional tools to manage the grid reliably, including using reserve power. ERCOT has also requested the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) enforcement discretion, which allows a generator to extend its service/run-time/operations to help meet demand, if needed.

An ERCOT Conservation Appeal is a request for Texans to reduce electrical usage, if safe to do so. Conservation helps grid operators balance generation supply and customer demand. The council expects similar conditions through Wednesday.

Energy-saving tips can be found at www.ercot.com/txans.