Learnings from the Texas grid, and why it’s been able to add so much solar and battery storage

David Leitch | Source: Renew Economy | Posted 07/26/2024

The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (Ercot) is the main grid in Texas with about 90,000 km of transmission serving 26 million people – about the same population as Australia. Maximum demand, however, is over 80 gigawatts (GW) and total energy delivered in 2023 was 440 terawatt hours (TWh), that’s about twice the amount in Australia on both counts, despite the fact that we have a relatively energy- and electricity-intensive economy.

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The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (Ercot) is the main grid serving 26 million people in Texas, similar in size to Australia's population. Despite having a relatively energy-intensive economy, Texas has managed to meet over 80 gigawatts of maximum demand and deliver 440 terawatt hours of energy, twice that of Australia. Texas has seen an increase in demand managed effectively over the years, with significant installations of utility solar, batteries, wind, and some gas without compromising system integrity.

Texas is on a trajectory similar to Australia in terms of energy transition, with a focus on behind-the-meter resources and resilience against severe weather events. The state has seen significant growth in renewables like solar and wind, while gas consumption has also increased. Prices in ERCOT are comparable to Australia, with a mix of renewables and gas dominating the energy landscape. As the state continues to invest in solar and batteries, grid resilience and efficient transmission connections remain key priorities for the future of Texas's energy system.

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Source Link: https://reneweconomy.com.au/learnings-from-the-texas-grid-and-why-its-been-able-to-add-so-much-solar-and-battery-storage/

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Learnings from the Texas grid, and why it’s been able to add so much solar and battery storage

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