Simultaneously, electric heaters created a powerful surge in demand. Wind resources also experienced storm-related outages, but ERCOT anticipated these outages in its planning. The February storm caused more than double the anticipated thermal outages. In its worst-case extreme-winter analysis, ERCOT had expected a loss of 14 GW of thermal resources. In a system with a winter peak of 66 GW, about 30 GW of thermal plants were unavailable. Inadequate winterization caused freezing of the gas supply and many plants' control instruments. The Texas crisis's proximate causes were two unanticipated shocks induced from the sub-zero temperatures (‑2˚ F in Dallas): a failure of conventional (thermal) generating supply, mostly from lack of natural gas, and a surge in electricity demand. The event should not be repeated, not in Texas nor anywhere else. Property damage totaled tens of billions of dollars. The controlled, multiple-day outages that avoided such a total blackout in Texas nonetheless inflicted a severe human cost. Absent this balance, generating units will trip off, causing a catastrophic blackout.

Electricity, unlike other products, requires that supply and demand balance every second so that frequency and voltage stay within tight tolerances. Out of necessity, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the system, requested controlled outages for roughly 20% of the system. He was vice chair and an independent director of the ERCOT board before resigning on February 24, 2021.ĭuring four frigid days in mid-February, the Texas electricity market had more demand than supply. For more information on services provided by the City, visit Huntsville's utility billing page or call (936) 291-5431.The following is a contributed article by Peter Cramton, Professor of Economics at the University of Cologne and the University of Maryland (emeritus since 2018). Completion of proposition 3 of the City's bond project, has resulted in the creation of a new pump station, elevated storage tank, and reparation and extension of the City's waterlines. The City of Huntsville provides services for water, waste water, and solid waste.

For more information call (800) 259-5544 or visit. By providing access to competitive gas suppliers, CenterPoint Energy enables customers to maximize the value of their natural gas consumption. CenterPoint Energy's Transportation Services offer qualifying end-use commercial and industrial customers a choice in their natural gas supply. For more information about their services visit or call (936) 825-5100ĬenterPoint Energy is the provider of natural gas services to the City of Huntsville. Mid-South Synerg y is an electric co-op committed to serving high quality service to homes and businesses in the community. For more information visit or call (800) 368-3749. Entergy is an asset to the City of Huntsville by providing abundant electrical power to the city's citizens, industries, and businesses. Electricity services for the City of Huntsville are provided by Entergy and Mid-South Synergy.Įntergy is an integrat ed energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations.

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