Texas Electricity Ratings

How Do VPPs Work? Learn how Texas homeowners with solar and EVs can band together to form VPPs and sell their excess electricity to help power the Texas grid.. VPPs are becoming a bigger part of the Texas power market. Short for “virtual power plants,” VPPs group many small power resources into one larger system. These can include rooftop solar, home batteries, and electric vehicles. Some light companies now use VPP programs to help manage demand during peak hours. Instead of building a new power plant, a VPP links many small devices through software. This aggregated power system can cut demand or send stored power back to the grid when ERCOT needs support. In simple terms, it turns many small home systems into a shared grid resource.  How VPPs Work In ERCOT A virtual power plant does not make power on its own. Instead, it coordinates power from many homes and businesses. For example, a home with solar and a battery may allow a VPP operator to use its stored power du...

What Happened With The Batch Zero Study? Find out what ERCOT plans for large load requests in the wake of its Batch Zero study. The Batch Zero study was ERCOT's response to a growing wave of requests from data centers, crypto mining sites, and other large power users. Over the last few years, firms have rushed to connect new facilities to the Texas grid. As a result, ERCOT needed a faster way to review projects and plan for future Texas power demand. The findings from the Batch Zero study are now shaping a new process for handling large power requests. They also could someday impact cheap electricity across Texas. Why ERCOT Created The Batch Zero Study Before the Batch Zero study, ERCOT reviewed large load requests one at a time. That way worked when only a small number of projects entered the queue each year. However, the growth of AI data centers and other large facilities quickly overwhelmed the process. In some cases, dozens of new requests arrived in a single quarter. ERCOT...

Which EV Charging Plans Are Best For Dallas? Find out how to get the most from EV charging plans and save more on your Dallas electricity bills! Because of rising fuel costs, more people are shifting to electric vehicles . For Dallas drivers, EV charging plans can help them cut charging costs by doing it late at night. In the Oncor area, several retail power providers now offer plans built around time-of-use pricing. These plans offer you very low overnight rates. In turn, they charge higher day time prices. So, it’s a simple tradeoff.  This setup works well for many EV owners. Most of them charge their cars overnight anyway. However, EV charging plans are not always the cheapest option for every home. In fact, some plans work best for heavy night charging. Others can lead to higher daytime costs if you use a lot of power during peak hours. So, knowing your home’s needs is key.  Champion EV Saver-12 The Champion Energy Services EV Saver-12 plan currently ranks a...

Which Plan Is Good For Houston High Use Homes? Understanding Houston bill credits for high use homes can help you save more when combined with the right electric plan. Big homes come with big power usage. But just because your home uses a lot of power, your bill doesn’t have to be out of control. Texas power companies have a wide range of plan offerings for Houston high use homes. Sorting through them can usually be confusing. But now for something completely different! We've sorted out the three best 12-month plans right here for your consideration.  To Bill Credit Or Not To Bill Credit Two of the three best 12-month plans for Houston high use families include bill credits. The Power Maxx Saver 12 plan from 4Change Energy boasts an average bill of $253. Its $100 bill credit kicks in at 2,000 kWh of usage which makes it optimal for mansions in River Oaks and West University Place.  But watch out for missing the bill credit window! If you use 1,500 kWh, your bill is ac...

Will Solar Power Boom in Texas This Summer? Output from solar power projects in Texas will out pace power from coal fired generators this summer. But, will it keep your bills lower? Texas could see a major jump in solar power production this summer as new projects come online. ERCOT expects strong demand during another hot season, which means Texas will need every available source of power. As a result, solar power could help keep prices low among light companies during high demand. New forecasts show solar power output in Texas could pass coal this year. However, solar still trails wind and natural gas by a wide margin. Even so, growth continues quickly as developers build large solar farms across Texas. So, what's behind this jump in building solar plants?    Why Solar Power Is Passing Coal The biggest reason for building more solar power comes down to cost. In many cases, companies can now build and run solar projects for less money than it takes to keep older coal plants ...

Will You Celebrate With Smoked Dessert?  Keep your Texas home cooler this Memorial Day weekend with a home-made smoked apple pie or cheese cake dessert! Check out these drool-worthy ideas! Memorial Day is a great time to fire up the smoker, enjoy good food, and spend time outside. With Texas power demand rising during warmer months, many people also look for ways to cook without heating up the kitchen. That is where a smoked dessert can be a fun twist. Instead of turning on the oven, you can use your smoker for sweet treats that still bring big flavor.  Why Smoked Dessert Works So Well A smoked dessert works because low, steady heat adds flavor without drying out food. This is because the smoke gives a rich taste you cannot get from a regular oven. It also keeps the kitchen cool, which matters during hot summer days when cooling systems already work hard and Texas electricity rates are surging. Smoking can also use less home power than baking. A standard oven may use around ...