ERCOT forecast to reach near historic peak of energy demand. How much can it take? - KPRC Click2Houston
ERCOT forecast to reach near historic peak of energy demand. How much can it take?
HOUSTON – With electric and power outages becoming arguably Texans’ latest fears, all eyes are on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) as it is expected to reach another historic demand for energy usage.
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Naturally, with the growing power demand it shouldn’t come as a surprise that ERCOT will reach another peak. According to ERCOT’s records, its grid has reached peak demand hours consecutively each year.
In August 2023, the record peaked at 85,508 MW, surpassing its peak demand from July 2022, which was at 80,148 MW.
Are you wondering how far one megawatt of power can go? You’re not alone. According to ERCOT, 1 MW is enough to serve about 250 customers.
KPRC 2 reporter Gage Goulding is investigating if we’ll break the previous record and if the grid can handle the demand we’re asking for.
He will have more details to come in a live report and updates on KPRC2 News at 5 and 6 p.m.
Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: coal
The use of coal, a staple of heating and electricity-generation for decades, is in decline in the United States — supplanted by newly abundant production of natural gas — but is still dominant in some parts of the world. While economical, coal use is particularly problematic as international attention focuses increasingly on climate change.