AUSTIN Due to continued high temperatures, high demand, low wind, and declining solar power generation this evening, operating reserves are expected to be low into the evening hours. As a result, ERCOT is asking Texans to conserve electricity use, if safe to do so, today, September 6, from 6 – 9 p.m.
Today’s conservation appeal does not indicate ERCOT is experiencing emergency conditions at this time. Current forecasts are showing a potential for low reserves this evening because of continued high temperatures, high demand, low wind, and declining solar power generation into the evening hours. ERCOT will continue to closely monitor conditions throughout the day and will keep the public informed through our communications channels.
ERCOT is requesting all government agencies (including city and county offices) to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.
ERCOT continues to use additional tools to manage the grid reliably, including using reserve power, calling upon reductions by large electric customers that have volunteered to lower their energy use, and bringing more generation online sooner. ERCOT is also working with out-of-state Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Market Participants to obtain additional power generation capacity.
Conservation is a widely used industry tool that can help lower demand for a specific period of peak demand time, which is typically late afternoon into the evening hours. Energy-saving tips can be found on the TXANS webpage at ercot.com/txans.
If you are experiencing an outage at this time, it is local in nature and not related to overall grid reliability. Please check with your local electric provider for more information.
Why the Request to Reduce Usage?
- Heat. Continued statewide high temperatures.
- Demand. Texas is seeing high demand due to the heat.
- Solar. Solar generation starts to decline earlier in the afternoon hours towards the end of summer before completely going offline at sunset.
- Wind. Wind generation is forecasted to be low this evening during peak demand time.
Peak Demand
- ERCOT set a new, all-time, unofficial peak demand record of 85,435 MW on August 10, 2023.
- ERCOT set a new all-time September peak demand record of 81,674 MW on September 5, 2023, surpassing the previous September peak of 78,459 MW set on September 4.
- This summer, ERCOT has set 10 new all-time peak demand records.
- Last summer, ERCOT set 11 new peak demand records with a high of 80,148 MW on July 20.
Consumer Assistance
- Public Utility Commission of Texas Hotline: 1-888-782-8477
Stay Updated
- Sign up for TXANS notifications on the TXANS webpage.
- Download the ERCOT Mobile App for additional notifications: iOS | Android.
- Monitor real-time and extended conditions at ercot.com.
- Subscribe to ERCOT Emergency Alerts which are not sent through TXANS notifications.
- Follow ERCOT on Twitter (@ERCOT_ISO), Facebook (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), and LinkedIn (ERCOT).
NOTE:
We remain committed to ensuring that all Texans stay informed on current grid conditions through transparent communications. Your sharing of our messaging during conservation periods supports this effort, and we thank you, a press release said.
Recently we introduced the Conservation Appeal as part of the Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS). TXANS now issues three notifications: ERCOT Weather Watch, Voluntary Conservation Notice, and the new Conservation Appeal.
ERCOT Weather Watch
An ERCOT Weather Watch is an earlier 3-5 day look ahead of forecasted higher temperatures, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves. Grid conditions are expected to be normal when an ERCOT Weather Watch is issued.
Voluntary Conservation Notice
A Voluntary Conservation Notice is a call for Texans to voluntarily reduce energy usage during peak demand periods, if safe to do so. As ERCOT continues to monitor conditions, forecasts may determine the need for ERCOT to issue a Voluntary Conservation Notice.
Conservation Appeal
A Conservation Appeal is an elevated request for Texans to reduce their energy use during peak demand periods where there is a potential to enter emergency operations due to lower reserves. The new Conservation Appeal information has been added to the TXANS website at ercot.com/txans.
Conservation is a common tool used throughout the industry to support grid reliability. Help from Texans to conserve electricity use, if safe to do so, will assist grid reliability. ERCOT will continue to monitor conditions and update the public.
