Renewables to the Rescue
Three years ago during winter storm Uri in Texas, renewable energy took heat for a lack of heating across the state. Since that crisis in 2021, Texas has added 3,000 MW of wind, in addition to doubling utility scale solar each year. This summer has presented another test of the ERCOT grid and renewables have delivered. The extreme heat has produced multiple record-breaking demand days, and renewables dispatched 35% of the state’s power, including 31,500 MW on a day when numerous coal and natural gas plants went offline.
This is not a one-time event. A similar scenario took place last year when wind and solar accounted for nearly 40% of total power during that summer’s peak demand day.
For more:
Batteries And Renewables Are Saving Texas During The Heat Wave (ampproject.org)
Wind and solar power are ‘bailing out’ Texas amid record heat and energy demand | CNN
