Hook paragraph
Grid Stability Gains
Matt Boms, the executive director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, said the grid’s stability has “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.
ERCOT has seen an overall increase in reliability as a result of recent investments.
Renewable Energy Surge
Boms explained that renewable sources now dominate new capacity: “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.
The shift has also helped bring down electricity costs for consumers.
Austin Energy’s New Projects
Austin Energy announced a 100-megawatt battery storage project and other local battery storage initiatives. “We’ve announced a 100 megawatt battery storage project here, a local battery storage project, and we’re making really strong investments in solar power,” Austin City Council Member Chito Vela said at a solar announcement earlier this month.
These projects are part of a broader push to increase solar capacity in the city.
Consumer Tips
Boms advised homeowners to adopt tools that reduce energy waste: “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.
Smart thermostats, heat pumps and proper insulation were highlighted as effective measures.
Key Takeaways
- Grid stability has improved markedly over the past four years.
- Renewable energy, including solar, wind and batteries, now accounts for over 90% of new generation.
- Austin Energy is launching a 100-MW battery storage project and expanding solar investments.
The Texas grid is better prepared for the coldest months, thanks to a combination of renewable growth, storage projects and consumer-focused energy-saving strategies.
