How Texas became the hottest grid battery market in the country

Julian Spector | Source: Canary Media | Posted 05/13/2024

Battery developers love the freewheeling ERCOT system, and all the new energy storage is helping to bolster the grid. But will the good times last?Denizens of the most populous region in Texas were cranking up air conditioning to beat the early burst of summery heat. Texas’ nation-leading solar fleet had wound down for the night, passing the baton to the nation’s largest fleet of fossil-fuel-burning plants to keep all those air conditioners going. Gas and coal plants were pumping out 40 gigawatts of power — but another 27 gigawatts of thermal plants were offline, undergoing maintenance ahead of the bustling summer season.

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On April 28, Texas faced a power crisis as unseasonably warm weather caused a spike in demand for air conditioning while many thermal power plants were offline for maintenance. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) had to deploy digitally controlled batteries to inject 2 gigawatts of power into the grid, preventing potential blackouts. This event showcased the importance of energy storage technologies in maintaining a reliable grid in the face of unexpected challenges.

The rapid growth of the energy storage market in Texas, driven by a favorable regulatory environment and market dynamics, has made the state a leader in adopting battery storage solutions. The expansion of energy storage capacity in Texas is not only enhancing grid reliability but also facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources. As the storage market evolves, longer-duration batteries are being deployed to address grid challenges and contribute to the continued transition to a cleaner, more efficient energy system.

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Source Link: https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/energy-storage/how-texas-became-the-hottest-battery-market-in-the-country-energy-storage

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How Texas became the hottest grid battery market in the country

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