Take It Easy With Power Use Today
The state's power grid could use some relief this afternoon. Photo courtesy flickr.com/dan_a/by Kelly Connelly
Temperatures have risen above 100 degrees today in Austin, and across Texas, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas is asking residents to limit their energy usage.
Robbie Searcy, ERCOT spokeswoman, says raising the thermostat just a few degrees is a big relief for the stressed electric grid, and there are other ways to lower demand.
“During the peak demand periods this afternoon if you could avoid using large appliances, particularly clothes dryers, clothes washers, those sorts of heat generating appliances, and of course hot stoves, please do,” Searcy said.
Before 7 p.m., ERCOT expects demand to reach 66,000 megawatts, and it will have 4,000 megawatts in reserve.
To put those numbers into context, one megawatt can power 200 homes at peak demand.
ERCOT saw its highest demand last August at 68,379 megawatts.
