Texas Power Grid Experiences Strain as Wind Generation Fails Once Again, Underscoring the Need for Reliable Thermal Generation
The Texas power grid is under stress yet again as wind generation falls short, highlighting the urgent requirement for dependable thermal generation. On June 20, ERCOT, the Texas power grid manager, nearly faced a shortage of available generation capacity on an exceptionally hot day. At that time, some media platforms perpetuated a narrative spotlighting solar and batteries as the saviors of the day, claiming that they prevented rolling blackouts when natural gas facilities unexpectedly went offline.
While there is some truth to the narrative, with the majority of recent generation additions in Texas being solar-based, it is an exaggeration to portray solar as the primary factor that saved the day. On that scorching June day, natural gas contributed 58% of the total generation, while solar accounted for approximately 14%, marking a record high. Wind, on the other hand, only produced a mere 6% of its nameplate capacity. Storage was also minimal at just 0.6%, although certain media stories undeservedly celebrated its contribution.
ERCOT once again faced near-emergency conditions on August 24, and this time the narrative may not be as favorable to wind and batteries. The core issue, as in June, was the lack of wind in West Texas where most wind installations are located. Analyzing the ERCOT generation mix in the late afternoon of August 24 reveals a similarity to that of June 20. Natural gas once again carried the load with 58%, solar remained at around 14%, wind improved slightly to 6.7% but still fell short, and storage remained negligible at 0.6%.
Initial media reports accurately identified the problem as low wind and not an issue related to natural gas, as highlighted by a story from NBC5 news in Dallas and an article by Reuters. Nevertheless, a few days later, the narrative shifted after certain individuals distorted the facts to promote solar and batteries while sidelining wind’s failure.
Regardless of media spin, the reality for the Texas grid is clear: solar and wind are unreliable when faced with severe weather conditions. As a wind power advocate testified at a 2021 Texas legislative hearing following Winter Storm Uri, wind power performed as expected when both wind and solar generation plummeted during the storm. To ensure power stability during critical times, Texas urgently needs to invest in dispatchable thermal reserve capacity that can seamlessly supplement other generation sources when needed. The Texas power generators must step forward and address this crucial weakness after years of neglect, despite any media narratives suggesting otherwise.
In conclusion, while solar and wind have their merits, they cannot be solely relied upon to meet energy demands during extreme circumstances. The Texas power grid requires a diversified and resilient mix of generation sources to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity to consumers.
