Texas power grid operators start rotating blackouts as state sets record high power demand
Hundreds of thousands of Texans without power as ERCOT declares highest level of energy emergency, 'rotating outages' begin
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the agency that oversees the state's electric grid, has declared the state of Texas at the highest energy emergency level because of lower power supply and high demand due to extreme low temperatures during a winter storm.
Rotating outages are underway. Residents should expect to lose power for 15 to 45 minutes, though times may vary.
As of 3:30 a.m., more than 475,000 Oncor customers were without power in North Texas. Around Texas, more than 97,000 people in Houston were without power, more than 170,000 in Austin, and more than 140,000 in San Antonio.
These numbers are expected to fluctuate in the coming hours.
This the first time ERCOT has reached the EEA 3 emergency level in a decade, since February 2011.
When electric reserves drop below certain thresholds, ERCOT will ask regional providers like Oncor and Reliant to turn off electricity to some neighborhoods, said Dan Woodfin, senior director of system operations at ERCOT.
A message on Oncor's site said rotating outages are in effect "due to record-breaking electric demand and reduced power generation."
ERCOT warned that some customers may experience longer outages if power surges cause equipment failure during restoration.
Officials said residents can help minimize power surges by turning of appliances, lights and other things, except for a single light to determine when power comes back on.
ERCOT encouraged customers without power for longer than 45 minutes to report outages by contacting Oncor at 888-313-4747 or texting OUT to 66267 if they are registered in My Oncor Alerts.
Officials continued to ask Texans Sunday to conserve as much electricity as they can safely and reliably over the coming days as record-low temperatures are expected to plunge the state further into a dangerous winter storm.
Officials the demand could become even greater on Monday and Tuesday.
Texas was already seeing record-breaking electricity demands prior to temperatures dropping even further Sunday night, ERCOT officials said.
At the same time, the grid is experiencing higher-than-normal generation outages caused by frozen wind turbines and limited natural gas supplies with individuals using it to heat their own homes.
About half of the state's wind turbine capacity (25,000-megawatts) is not currently generating power because many turbines have become frozen. But, the turbines are still producing more power than typically expected.
"Wind is putting out more than we count on for the winter season," Woodfin added.
The turbines that are operating are producing more than normal, he continued. It is uncertain whether there are plans to de-ice the turbines in parts of west and northwest Texas, ERCOT said.
With temperatures expected to drop down to 0 degrees at times through Tuesday, and below 0 with wind chill, demand on the grid is expected to remain extremely high.
ERCOT officials said later Sunday they may need to go into emergency operations starting that evening. At this point, rotating outages would be the last step they would take in an emergency.
On Sunday evening, Southern Methodist University sent out an alert that school officials had been told to "expect rotating power outages of 15 minutes up to 2X thru Tues." SMU warned that following an outage, it could take up five or more hours to restore full heat.
SMU officials said they were notified by Oncor about the possibility.
Power reserves are currently fine, Woodfin said, but ERCOT is concerned about the forecast.
“While Oncor’s transmission and distribution system is prepared to handle the increased load, requests for conservation are a case of supply and demand – when there may not be enough power generation to meet the high demand for electricity," said Connie Piloto, Oncor Director of Communications.
Experts explained that even taking a few small steps to reduce power consumption in your home can help your community:
- Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees
- Keep lights off when not in a room
- Unplug appliances not in use
- Avoid using large appliances like washing machines, esp. during peak times
- Close off heat escape routes like drafty doors or fireplace dampers (when not in use)
- Set your ceiling fan to rotate clockwise to force warm air downwards
- Close blinds and shades at night to keep out cold air. Open them during the day to allow sunshine in.
Reliant is urging Texans to particularly reduce their energy usage during peak times between the hours of 6 to 10 p.m. and 5 to 9 a.m. over the next few days.
Those hours are often the times when temperatures are coldest and demand for electricity is highest, officials explained.
And officials are asking that businesses and other large consumers of electricity limit their use of electricity over the next few days to just essential production.
Texans are also urged to immediately report any downed power lines by calling 911, Oncor officials said. Crews are staged across its service areas to respond to any problems.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration Friday for all 254 Texas counties in response to the wintry weather conditions.
The governor has also requested a Federal Emergency Declaration from the White House to make additional resources available for communities impacted by this weather event.
The Texas State Operations Center will also be active 24 hours a day through the end of next week.
During a news conference Saturday, Gov. Abbott warned Texans "the severity of the weather is unprecedented and people should be ready."
There are over 3,000 troopers deployed, the National Guard will be assisting local law enforcement and performing welfare checks in rural areas, search and rescue teams are monitoring and the Texas forest service will be in place to deal with any downed trees and to clear roads.
Texas Department of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd is also asking everyone to be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning as power outages begin to happen across the state. If your power does go out, Kidd says do not burn any gas appliances in your home.
Officials also want to remind people not bring any generators inside— they should remain at least 30 feet away from your home.
Good advice for those who loose power and have generators.
— NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) February 14, 2021
Here are some additional tips that you could do if your home loses power and you do not have a generator/power source:https://t.co/wFigsIYX60 https://t.co/RnMd1aJl1T
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