Texas power emergency hinged on stranded wind farm supplies

Texas power emergency caused by halted transmission from wind farms to major cities during record heat.
Suspending wind power shipments from South Texas prevented overload but forced supply cuts.
Supply curtailment of 1,000 megawatts came just as demand peaked, risking blackouts.
Grid narrowly avoided outages as demand eased after sunset.
Governor cites no "system-wide issues" due to reforms after 2021 blackouts.

dallasnews.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/23/2023

Energy expert evaluates ERCOT and the Texas power grid amid record-breaking heat

Despite recent rainfall, the extremely dry and hot conditions in Texas have put a strain on the power grid, leading ERCOT and energy providers to ask Texans to conserve energy during peak hours.

8/24/2023

US Central states, Texas in danger of power shortages in heat wave

Two U.S. electric grids, including Texas' Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), may face a reserve capacity shortage during a heatwave, prompting calls for energy conservation and the possibility of controlled outages.

8/24/2023

After ERCOT conservation push, San Antonio avoids power outage

Texas was able to avoid rotating outages thanks to statewide conservation efforts, as the Texas Electric Reliability Council of Texas ended its energy conservation request and thanked residents and businesses for their efforts to conserve power.

8/27/2023

Thousands lose power as cold front brings wind gusts to Central Texas

A cold front in Austin, Texas caused power outages and a temperature drop from 106 to 82 in one hour, while storms were slowly weakening and rain showers continued.

9/1/2023

How ERCOT is narrowly getting through an extreme summer — and how exp…

The Texas power grid is facing increasing challenges to meet high electricity demand, with record-breaking heatwaves and strain on power sources, prompting calls for conservation and a rethink of power generation and usage.

9/8/2023

Texas Power Prices Skyrocket to $5,000 per Megawatt-Hour Amid Heatwave, Forcing Grid Operator to Issue Emergency Alert

Texas power prices surged by 20,000% during a heatwave, reaching over $5,000 per megawatt-hour, leading to an emergency alert by the state's grid operator, ERCOT, before conditions returned to normal, with the Biden administration declaring a power emergency in the state, as record-breaking high temperatures are forecasted for the following days.

Topics

Posted 9/7/2023, 8:13:55 PM

Texas power emergency hinged on stranded wind farm supplies

Texas power emergency caused by halted transmission from wind farms to major cities during record heat.
Suspending wind power shipments from South Texas prevented overload but forced supply cuts.
Supply curtailment of 1,000 megawatts came just as demand peaked, risking blackouts.
Grid narrowly avoided outages as demand eased after sunset.
Governor cites no "system-wide issues" due to reforms after 2021 blackouts.

dallasnews.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/23/2023

Energy expert evaluates ERCOT and the Texas power grid amid record-breaking heat

Despite recent rainfall, the extremely dry and hot conditions in Texas have put a strain on the power grid, leading ERCOT and energy providers to ask Texans to conserve energy during peak hours.

8/24/2023

US Central states, Texas in danger of power shortages in heat wave

8/24/2023

After ERCOT conservation push, San Antonio avoids power outage

8/27/2023

Thousands lose power as cold front brings wind gusts to Central Texas

A cold front in Austin, Texas caused power outages and a temperature drop from 106 to 82 in one hour, while storms were slowly weakening and rain showers continued.

9/1/2023

How ERCOT is narrowly getting through an extreme summer — and how exp…

9/8/2023

Texas Power Prices Skyrocket to $5,000 per Megawatt-Hour Amid Heatwave, Forcing Grid Operator to Issue Emergency Alert