energy grid
Newsletter
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Texas power demand expected to nearly double by 2030, ERCOT predicts
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas forecasts that power demand in Texas could almost double by 2030 due to new demand calculation methods and a surge in large power users.
In short:
- ERCOT’s new prediction considers company requests for grid connections before finalization and an influx of large power users like data centers and hydrogen production facilities.
- Texas’s population growth and increased electrification in the oil and gas sector are major factors driving the expected surge in power demand.
- State officials are concerned about the potential strain on the grid and are considering more oversight and new infrastructure to meet the demand.
Key quote:
“All of that is putting together a picture of a very significant, different demand growth that is forcing us to really re-think how we’re looking at planning ... ”
— Pablo Vegas, president and CEO of ERCOT
Why this matters:
ERCOT’s forecast raises concerns about the state's ability to meet this demand without compromising environmental standards or public health. As Texas continues to attract businesses with its favorable economic conditions, the pressure mounts on the existing infrastructure, potentially leading to increased carbon emissions and higher pollution levels if fossil fuel usage is ramped up to meet the growing energy needs.
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Heat waves threaten power grid stability with potential blackouts
Prolonged heat waves could increasingly cause blackouts by overheating power transformers, particularly in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas, new research indicates.
In short:
- Transformers, essential for regulating electricity to safe levels, are vulnerable to prolonged high temperatures.
- Cities like Phoenix may face over 120 days annually with temperatures that can degrade transformer performance, leading to potential blackouts.
- Power outages during heat waves pose serious health risks, especially to vulnerable populations.
Key quote:
“When it’s hotter outside, our power plants are less efficient, and the transmission lines are less efficient, and the air conditioners are less efficient.”
— Michael Webber, professor of mechanical engineering, University of Texas at Austin
Why this matters:
As climate change leads to more frequent and intense heat waves, the strain on the electrical grid will increase, raising the risk of blackouts. This could result in severe public health crises during extreme heat events.
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Eclipse puts US power grid to the test
As the U.S. prepares for a solar eclipse on April 8, the event poses a unique challenge for the nation's solar-powered energy grid, potentially affecting millions.
In short:
- The eclipse will dramatically reduce solar power production across a wide swath of the US, impacting areas with a combined population exceeding 31 million.
- Power grid operators have planned meticulously to manage the sudden drop and subsequent surge in solar energy, ensuring a steady electricity supply.
- The situation is particularly critical in Texas, where recent hail storms damaged solar installations, adding another layer of complexity to managing the grid during the eclipse.
Key quote:
"ERCOT has analyzed the ramping challenges posed by the eclipse and will continue to monitor this aspect of the eclipse as updated weather forecasts are received."
— ERCOT spokesperson
Why this matters:
For solar-dependent regions, eclipses serve as a reminder of the variability of renewable energy sources and the importance of having a diverse energy portfolio. Despite the temporary disruption, solar eclipses are predictable events, allowing for advance planning to mitigate their impact on solar power generation.
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How generous subsidies helped Australia to become a leader in solar power
For a brief period over several weekends this spring, the state of South Australia, which has a population of 1.8m, did something no other place of a similar size can claim: generate enough energy from solar panels on the roofs of houses to meet virtually all its electricity needs.
Newsletter
Photo by Andrey Metelev on Unsplash
The US power grid quietly survived record summer heat waves without outages
With little acknowledgment and no applause, the power grid across the continental United States this summer quietly pulled off what may have been its most impressive feat ever.
Newsletter
Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash
Carbon-free grid? There may not be enough workers to build it
There have been widespread warnings that a looming shortage of energy workers may jeopardize President Joe Biden's climate goals. Here's what is true.
Photo by Savvas Kalimeris on Unsplash
DOE commits $450M to install rooftop solar for highest-need Puerto Ricans
Gabriela Aoun Angueira reports in Grist about Department of Energy plans to allocate nearly $500 million to install rooftop solar and battery backup systems on the homes of vulnerable residents in Puerto Rico, aiming to provide reliable and affordable energy to high-need households amid frequent blackouts.
In a nutshell:
While overhauling Puerto Rico's grid will take years, these funds will offer immediate help to the residents most vulnerable during blackouts. The funding, part of the $1 billion Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund approved by Congress, will target low-income families, including those medically vulnerable and living in remote communities. The program's third-party ownership model will relieve households of system maintenance, and community outreach efforts have helped shape the initiative, signaling a shift towards more inclusive and equitable program design.
Key quote:
“We’re very glad that it appears that their intention is to focus these funds on the people who are truly so low-income or disabled that they have no other viable way to acquire solar and storage,” PJ Wilson, president of the Solar and Energy Storage Association in Puerto Rico said. “Hopefully this helps lift people out of poverty.”
The big picture:
The blackouts in Puerto Rico have had significant effects on vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing challenges and hardships. With frequent power outages, access to essential services and resources like healthcare, communication, and clean water becomes even more limited, impacting the well-being and resilience of communities already facing socio-economic disparities.
Read the article at Grist.
Disparities abound in Puerto Rico. For example, Puerto Ricans are disproportionately affected with asthma. Lorraine N. Vélez-Torres reports that adult asthma rates are 1.3 times higher than in the U.S., and Puerto Rican children are twice as likely to be afflicted as compared to U.S. children.
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