ERCOT issues OCN for predicted arctic front

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has issued an Operating Condition Notice (OCN) for the predicted extreme cold weather event for the ERCOT Region Monday, January 15, 2024 through Wednesday, January 17, 2024, according to ERCOT’s Operations Messages.   OCN’s are the first of four levels ERCOT issues to the power market participants when anticipating a possible emergency condition as part of grid operations.  ERCOT has issued at least one OCN every month since August, 2023.

“Reserve shortage risks are the highest during the morning hours when daily loads are typically at their highest (Hour Ending 8 a.m.) and just before and during the solar production ramp-up.  There is also some higher risk in the evening hours due to increasing loads with a secondary peak occurring around Hour Ending 9:00 p.m., according to ERCOT.  The Monthly Outlook for Resource Adequacy report for January 2024 shows a 20.56% chance of reaching an energy emergency for a severe storm similar to the storm which hit Texas in December 2022.

Following a deadly storm in February 2021, ERCOT, lawmakers, and power grid regulators made changes to how the power grid operates.  Those changes include mandating weatherization practices for power generators, transmission lines and certain natural gas facilities.  Other changes to the way ERCOT manages the power grid include how maintenance is scheduled, improved forecasting, and new services designed to give a faster response to grid changes and the Texas Advisory Advisory and Notification System to alert Texans to grid changes.

ERCOT manages the electric grid for the majority of the state.  The Railroad Commission oversees oil and gas in the state.  Texans can follow the current grid and market conditions on ERCOT’s dashboards by visiting www.ercot.com.