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Winter 2024

Resources and Updates

Overview

Based on expected weather conditions, ERCOT anticipates there will be sufficient generation to meet customer demand this winter.
 
ERCOT will continue to deploy all available tools to manage the grid reliably and coordinate closely with the Public Utility Commission, generation resource owners and transmission utilities to ensure they are also prepared.  

In the event of an energy emergency, ERCOT will provide regular updates to this page.

Grid Conditions

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Operating Reserves:
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Resources

If you’ve lost power to your home or business, contact your local electric provider. Consult this list of providers, outage maps and contact info.

 

See ERCOT’s dashboards for grid conditions, weather forecasts and more.

See the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) website for individual and family resources as well as local official and emergency management resources. Follow TDEM on Twitter for the latest updates.

Since 2021, ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and the Texas Legislature have worked to strengthen the reliability and resiliency of the ERCOT grid. 

  • Weatherization and Inspections. ERCOT is entering the third season of winter weatherization inspections with enhanced requirements for generation and transmission facilities, compared to last winter season.
  • Firm Fuel Supply Service (FFSS) Phase 2. An additional source of onsite fuel for generators benefits the grid by providing a redundant, or additional, fuel source should there be a natural gas scarcity. FFSS Phase 1 created the FFSS service (deployed for the first time during Winter Storm Elliott and then again for Winter Storm Mara). Phase 2 expanded Resources that can qualify. If a Resource’s fuel service is firm and isn’t under a lower curtailment priority if there’s a curtailment event, they can now qualify.    
  • Scheduled Maintenance Period. ERCOT has worked with generators and transmission operators to schedule their maintenance to prepare their equipment for winter after running hard this past summer.
  • Forecasting Improvements. ERCOT has been working on reducing weather forecast error by procuring additional weather forecasts and developing load forecast models that are tuned for extreme cold weather. ERCOT has also improved the forecasting software testing process related to holidays and other outlier scenarios.
  • ERCOT Contingency Reserve Service (ECRS). Added in June 2023, ECRS takes advantage of Resources that can start within 10 minutes to address unexpected or rapid changes in supply or demand. 
  • Fast Frequency Response Service. Added in 2022, this addition to our Ancillary Services takes advantage of the capability of faster-responding Resources to respond to events.
  • Improved, Transparent Communications. The Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS) was launched May 2023. TXANS is a communications tool to keep Texans updated on grid conditions.
  • Critical Supply Chain and Critical Infrastructure Map. This map was created in 2022 to share the locations and connectivity of all the critical parts of the Texas power infrastructure.
  • Improved Inter-Agency Communications. Agencies are seeing improved, ongoing communications through both the Texas Department of Emergency Management and Texas Energy Reliability Council.

Background

Jan 16, 2024 - pdf - 235.1 KB
Feb 21, 2024 - pdf - 78.7 KB