The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) says it set a new system-wide peak record yesterday of 70,169 MW, including more than 5,000 MW of wind generation over peak, just two days shy of the one-year anniversary of ERCOT’s previous 69,877 MW record, which was set Aug. 10, 2015.
According to ERCOT, peak demand actually surpassed 70,000 MW for the first time between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. today and topped out at 70,169 MW between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. For reference purposes, the grid operator adds that 1 MW is enough generation to serve about 200 homes during peak demand.
“The system has performed well so far through this early August heat wave,” says Dan Woodfin, director of system operations. “We had sufficient generation available today, including more than 5,000 MW of wind generation over peak, and we hope to see those conditions continue during the week ahead.”
With regional temperatures expected to hover in the triple digits for much of the week, ERCOT’s load is projected to peak above 70,000 MW again Aug. 9 and Aug. 11 between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
This new system-wide record comes on the heels of an all-time weekend peak demand record of 67,000 MW, set on Aug. 7. August is usually the hottest summer month, and demand typically increases during this time.
Previous all-time peak records are listed below:
- 70,169 MW – Aug. 8, 2016
- 70,009 MW – Aug. 8, 2016
- 69,877 MW – Aug. 10, 2015
- 68,912 MW – Aug. 6, 2015
- 68,459 MW – Aug. 5, 2015
- 68,305 MW – Aug. 3, 2011
As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 46,500 miles of transmission lines and 550 generation units.
