February 04, 2011 Update:
ERCOT is asking consumers to reduce energy consumption during peak-demand times this evening -- 6-10 pm – and tomorrow morning from 6 – 8 am.
The grid continues to have more than 5,000 MW of generation out of service due to the effect of the extreme cold.
Tonight’s peak demand is forecast to hit 54,900 MW between 7-8 pm. The morning peak was 53,223 MW – with 4,000 MW dropped via rotating outages -- at 9-10 am.
At this time, the forecast for tomorrow’s peak load is 56,800 MW for 7-8 am.
ERCOT’s current record for all time winter peak demand is 55,878 MW, which occurred on Jan. 8, 2010.
Rotating outages are controlled, temporary interruptions of electrical service initiated by each utility when supplies of reserve power are exhausted. Without this safety valve, generators would overload and begin shutting down to avoid damage, risking a domino effect of a state-wide outage.
Utilities/ transmission providers determine the location/scheduling of the rotating outages.
Power Emergency Alert – Conservation CRITICAL--Rotating Outages Have Begun The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has instructed utilities to begin rotating outages to compensate for a generation shortage due to numerous plant trips that occurred because of the extreme weather.
Rotating outages are controlled, temporary interruptions of electric service, typically lasting 10-45 minutes per neighborhood. If your power doesn’t come back on within 45 minutes, call the power outage emergency number on the back of your electric bill.
The locations and durations are determined by the local utilities. Critical need customers such as hospitals and nursing homes are generally not included.
It is not known at this time how long the need for rotating outages will last. Consumers and businesses are urged to reduce their electricity use to the lowest level possible, including these steps:
• Limit electricity usage to only that consumption which is absolutely necessary. Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment.
• Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.
• Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non -essential production processes.
BACKGROUND
A Power Emergency indicates that the regional electric grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), has instructed utilities to implement rotating outages to reduce load.
Rotating outages are controlled, temporary interruptions of electrical service initiated by each utility when supplies of reserve power are exhausted. Without this safety valve, generators would overload and begin shutting down to avoid damage, risking a domino effect of a region -wide outage.
Rotating outages primarily affect residential neighborhoods and small businesses and do not typically include critical -need customers such as hospitals and nursing homes.
The outages are limited to 10-45 minutes before being rotated to a different neighborhood.
Some customers may experience longer outages if power surges cause equipment failure during the restoration process.
Customers can minimize power surges by turning off appliances, lights and other equipment, except for one task light to determine when power has been restored.
ERCOT REGION
The ERCOT Region includes Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, Abilene and the Rio Grande Valley. It does not include the El Paso area, the Texas Panhandle, Northeast Texas (Longview, Marshall and Texarkana), and Southeast Texas (Beaumont, Port Arthur, and the Woodlands). Region map:
http://www.ercot.com/news/mediakit/maps/index.html
HELPFUL CONTACTS
For Utility Information Check your electric bill to identify your utility company or transmission provider.
Investor-Owned Utilities (Transmission & Distribution)
Outside ERCOT
Community-Owned Electric Utilities
Utility Directories
Electric Industry Links
ERCOT Market Participants
Conservation Tips
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to approximately 22 million Texas customers – representing 85 percent of the state’s electric load and 75 percent of the Texas land area. As the Independent System Operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects 40,000 miles of transmission lines and more than 550 generation units. ERCOT also manages financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers customer switching for 6.5 million Texans in competitive choice areas.
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