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AUSTIN, TX – The hottest summer days are just around the corner and grid concerns are being addressed in Austin. On Monday, July 26th, there is 50,304 MW of demand and 66,746 MW available, according to regulators.
Following the power outage during the historic and deadly winter storm in February, the Texas governor and legislature instructed regulators to ensure the grid was prepared for any eventuality.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has given Governor Greg Abbott, members of the Texas Legislature and the Public Utility Commission (PUC) the “Roadmap for Improving Network Reliability”. The roadmap is a comprehensive plan addressing operational improvements to the Texas power grid, including key legislative changes, the goals outlined in the governor’s July 6 letter, and other reforms.
“Change is required to continue serving the millions of customers and businesses that depend on us,” said Brad Jones, Interim President and CEO of ERCOT. “We have extensively reviewed our processes to better serve Texans and will continue to work very closely with the PUC to ensure that we are aligned in these efforts. These changes will benefit all Texans and the state’s continued economic growth Support Texas. “
The 60-point roadmap is available on ERCOT.com and will be updated regularly until the end of the year.
“ERCOT’s roadmap has a clear focus on protecting customers while ensuring that Texas maintains open market incentives to bring new generations into the state,” said Peter Lake, PUC Chairman and ERCOT Board Member. “Texans deserve a more reliable grid and we are aggressively working to make that a reality.”
The roadmap includes both existing and new initiatives, including:
- Take a more aggressive operational approach. ERCOT brings more generation online earlier when it is necessary to balance supply and demand. The network operator also buys more reserve power, especially on days when the weather forecast is uncertain.
- Requires CEO certifications. After a rule change, all market participants who own or operate generation resources and / or transmission / distribution lines must submit a letter signed by their CEO twice a year certifying that their companies have completed preparations for weathering to protect the power grid the summer and winter seasons.
- Adding new requirements for generation owners. ERCOT proposes a new market rule that requires generators to provide operational updates more frequently.
- Assessment of the fuel supply on site. ERCOT is examining the need for on-site fuel supply for some generators.
- Performing unannounced tests on generation resources. This test helps to verify that generators have provided accurate information about their availability.
- Fixed transfer restrictions in the Rio Grande Valley. ERCOT and PUC are initiating a process to remove restrictions on RGV transmission and improve market access for resources in the Valley. This will improve reliability for customers in normal conditions and in high risk weather events.
In developing the roadmap, Jones and the ERCOT team worked with the PUC, customers, former regulators, retired industry executives, environmentalists and market participants to ensure that all areas of improvement were considered and incorporated.
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