Will Batteries Hold Off ERCOT Blackouts This Summer?
Can Batteries Prevent Summer ERCOT Blackouts? Texans could see a higher risk for blackouts in ERCOT this summer. Learn how utility scale batteries may help and why more are needed. Texas is adding large grid batteries at a fast pace. During Winter Storm Fern, utility scale batteries played a real role in keeping the grid stable . During the winter storm, batteries supplied about 9.5 percent of ERCOT power. While only for a short time, they added more than 7,000 megawatts to the system. That extra supply helped demand stay below available power. For customers who rely on their electric company to keep the lights on, this was an encouraging sign. Many Texans now wonder if they can help prevent ERCOT blackouts this summer. What Batteries Did During Winter Storm Fern Battery energy storage systems, or "BESS", can respond almost instantly to demand. When power plants trip offline or demand jumps, batteries can inject power into the grid within seconds. During Fern, that fast res...