Meeting This Summer’s Peak Energy Demand a Breeze, Says ERCOT

Another of the nation’s grid operators has forecast ample power supplies for this summer’s peak energy demand season. Following similar announcements by several other large grid operators, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) predicted it will have 21.4 percent more power generation capacity than the forecast peak, even though the state is expected to break its own power use record this summer.

An influx of clean energy technology and new generation investment has been instrumental to Texas meeting demand. ERCOT’s assessment includes 1,323 megawatts (MW) of contracted demand response resources and 242 MW of incremental energy efficiency programs, along with 2,073 MW of new committed generation. Wind power continues to lead the clean energy charge in Texas with 9,117 MW of installed capacity, over 10 percent of total capacity, and more wind projects are in the works. Once again, accurate price signals and a competitive market have combined to encourage private investment in new clean energy generation.

Beyond just bolstering the state’s overall energy portfolio and clean energy capacity, competition has given Texas consumers greater ability to choose among a variety of power suppliers offering clean energy sources. COMPETE member TXU Energy recently launched one such example of a green-power plan with its 100 percent wind power program. Texas also recently announced it had already exceeded a 2025 goal of 10,000 MW of new renewable generation in its’ renewable energy credits program – 15 years ahead of schedule.

Energy demand is expected to keep rising with the economic rebound and technological advances like electric vehicles and consumer electronics. Fortunately for Texas consumers, competitive markets have once again stimulated the innovative solutions required to meet electricity needs and environmental objectives.

Joel Malina | May 21, 2010