Will Texas Have Enough Energy Reserves for the Winter?

Earlier this year, AccuWeather forecasted a hot summer for Texas, predicting worse droughts throughout the state and into the far west. Predictions were based on the rainfall level up to April of this year, amounting to just 3.93 inches. The droughts and heat waves from the summer have been worrisome for power grid operators, as they feared that residents would deplete reserves that have been stored for the winter.

Texas isn’t the only area with energy issues, as states like California and Washington have been inflicted with unusually hotter climates. Rising temperatures have been an issue for countries other than the US, especially in regions such as the Middle East where they receive year-round intense sunlight. While the sunny weather is clearly something that should be taken advantage of in terms of energy, the economies are heavily driven by fossil fuels, which have allowed companies such as oil and gas services provider UnaOil to expand operations in Iraq. But the hot temperatures have caused electricity bills to shoot up, eating away at their reserves much faster than usual, much like what has happened with Texas.

Although this time around, summer in Dallas wasn’t as scalding as previous years, statewide averages have contributed to last month’s record daily power usage, which at one point exceeded 69,783 megawatts. Sometime in August, only 2,500 megawatts total remained in the state’s reserves according to The Scoop Blog, followed by an immediate conservation alert. Typically, one megawatt provides sufficient power for 200 homes during the summer and 500 homes in mild weather. But the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state agency currently managing over 85 percent of the state grid, say that they’ve been able to maintain enough energy to meet the upcoming fall and winter demands, despite the depleting resources reported in August.

Currently, 77,000 megawatts are available for the upcoming months. Based on the weather patterns for October and November, similar to past patterns from 2002 to 2013, ERCOT is hopeful that peak demand will just be under 50,000 MW this season, enough to supply energy for their 24 million Texan-customers.