Heat Wave: Is There Enough Electricity?

Triple-digit high-temperature records are a thing throughout the Lone Star State this summer, with little relief in sight. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) released a statement on Friday, July 20, that it issued an advisory to statewide power companies due to the current heat wave.

Will this July 2018 heat wave dwindle electricity reserves, and lead to a state-wide blackout?

According to energy expert Michael Webber, no. The deputy director with University of Texas at Austin’s Energy Institute indicated that ERCOT had anticipated this scenario months ago. Texas, which is the only state with its own power grid, is still far from experiencing a total blackout, though rolling blackouts aren’t out of the question.

Still, Webber indicated that, if consumers would turn the temperature up on their thermostats, turn off unnecessary lights in the middle of the day and wait until evening to run dishwashers, it would make a significant difference in terms of consumption.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Amy Sorter