Sunday Voluntary Conservation Notice Due to Extreme Heat and High Power Demand
2 min read
Texans Urged to Conserve Electricity as Heatwave Sweeps Across State
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas are calling on residents to voluntarily reduce their electricity consumption on Sunday evening. This plea comes as the state grapples with scorching temperatures and an unexpected loss of thermal generation.
From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CT, Texans are being asked to conserve energy in order to alleviate strain on the power grid. ERCOT stresses that there is no emergency at present, and voluntary conservation is a commonly employed measure to lower demand during specific time periods.
To keep the public informed about grid conditions, the Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS) will issue alerts while government agencies are encouraged to implement energy reduction programs.
Residents are advised to make a few adjustments in their daily routines to help reduce electricity usage. Suggestions include raising thermostats by one or two degrees, refraining from using large appliances like washers and dryers, turning off unnecessary lights and appliances, and setting pool pumps to operate during off-peak hours.
To assist in this effort, the Public Utility Commission of Texas has provided tips on their website, Power to Save, detailing how homeowners and businesses can lower their energy consumption.
This weekend, North Texas experienced record-breaking temperatures, with Saturday’s mercury soaring to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Sunday’s high surpassed the previous record of 107 degrees from 2011. As a result, ERCOT saw a new all-time peak demand record of 84,805 MW, surpassing last year’s record of 78,465 MW.
ERCOT has already set ten new all-time peak demand records this summer alone, with last summer seeing eleven such records. These figures highlight the increasing strain placed on the Texas power grid due to both extreme weather conditions and population growth.
By adopting voluntary conservation during peak demand periods, Texans can play a vital role in stabilizing the state’s electricity system and reducing the risk of blackouts.
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