In an interview with KXAN, Matthew Boms, Executive Director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (United's state affiliate), stated that the Texas grid is well-equipped to withstand the Texas winter, pointing to the increased use of renewables in strengthening the state's power system.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As we head into the historically coldest months of the year, Texans may be wondering, how will the Texas grid perform this winter?
Matt Boms, the executive director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, weighed in on that — and we have good news for you.
“I think overall we’re looking really good … the stability of our grid has increased exponentially over the last four years, almost five years since Winter Storm Uri now,” Boms said.
So what’s changed then? Boms pointed to the statewide uptick in renewable energy investments and storage.
“The biggest change that we’ve seen in ERCOT … solar, wind and batteries have made up more than 90% of new generation since Winter Storm Uri, and that’s kept the grid reliable and it’s driven prices down,” he explained.
What can the consumer do?
Boms said investments in tools like smart thermostats, heat pumps and making sure your place is properly insulated will help you stay warm this winter and will also help your neighbors by taking some pressure off the grid.
“If we do have another winter storm on the scale of Uri, you know single digit temperatures, then what we want is to reduce as much energy waste as possible,” Boms said.
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