popular articles

Texas energy grid resilience in the face of natural disasters

The massive blackouts caused by Hurricane Beryl are raising questions about the resilience of the Texas energy grid and prompting consumers to invest in distributed generation systems.
Résilience du réseau énergétique texan

Please share:

Hurricane Beryl revealed major vulnerabilities in the East Texas power grid.
On July 8, the storm caused outages affecting nearly three million customers in the state, with around 1 million remaining without power as a result of the storm.
Faced with this situation, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the Public Utility Commission of Texas to investigate the reasons for the extended restoration times.
A study conducted by the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs and Texas Southern University’s Barbara Jordan-Mikey Leland School of Public Affairs revealed that 26% of respondents are considering purchasing a generator or improving the maintenance of their existing equipment.

Network resilience efforts called into question

The Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance (TAEBA) on July 18 called on Texas leaders to re-evaluate their approach to grid resilience.
Matt Boms, executive director of TAEBA, said that solar panels, battery storage and other energy resources located in homes and businesses can bring significant relief to Texans disconnected from the grid.
However, he criticized utility companies for discouraging these solutions while investing heavily in expensive and unreliable gas generators when needed.
CenterPoint Energy, which experienced the largest outages with around 2.6 million customers affected, was unable to respond in time for this publication.

Evolution of distributed generation resources

In December, ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) reported that its annual estimates for distributed generation resources have increased almost sixfold over the past seven years, from 650 MW in 2015 to 3,850 MW in 2022.
The biggest increase came after the deadly winter storm of February 2021, which left around four million customers in the dark for several days.
Joshua Rhodes, a researcher at the University of Texas Energy Institute and non-resident scholar at Columbia University, explained that sales of backup systems typically increase after disasters such as the California wildfires.
According to him, only solar systems would have an impact on grid prices, as running a backup generator on natural gas is too expensive and these are generally not allowed to backfeed the grid in residential systems.

Reactions and outlook

For large-scale solar power, the increase in solar production since Hurricane Beryl has generally coincided with lower real-time marginal rental prices at the Houston Hub, compared with the averages for the corresponding dates from 2019 to 2023.
Joshua Rhodes also pointed out that solar systems without batteries do not generate electricity when the grid is down, limiting their resilience in the event of an outage.
Solar systems coupled with batteries can insulate a home and provide some resilience, but the storage cost required to cool a home entirely in the Houston summer remains high.
Fossil fuel generators, on the other hand, can provide a large amount of electricity but require a constant supply of fuel.
Those connected to the natural gas grid are more convenient, but generate a lot of noise and local air pollution if numerous in a small area.
The vulnerability of the Texas energy grid to natural disasters is prompting consumers and authorities alike to reconsider distributed energy solutions.
The question remains whether these measures will be sufficient to strengthen the grid’s resilience in the face of climate change and increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Europe's energy transition is driving a structural transformation of the electricity grid, exposing the market to new vulnerabilities. A study by Compass Lexecon highlights three strategic levers to ensure supply stability amid geopolitical pressures and market volatility.
The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) and the Qatar Fund for Development (QDF) have signed a $100 million financing agreement to connect the Gulf power grid with Oman. This strategic project, with a total cost exceeding $700 million, aims to enhance regional energy security and efficiency.
The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) and the Qatar Fund for Development (QDF) have signed a $100 million financing agreement to connect the Gulf power grid with Oman. This strategic project, with a total cost exceeding $700 million, aims to enhance regional energy security and efficiency.
Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), in partnership with the European Union and other financial institutions, has launched the Liberia Energy Efficiency and Access Project (LEEAP). With a budget of €107 million, this initiative aims to improve electricity access and energy efficiency in the country.
Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), in partnership with the European Union and other financial institutions, has launched the Liberia Energy Efficiency and Access Project (LEEAP). With a budget of €107 million, this initiative aims to improve electricity access and energy efficiency in the country.
Energy Minister Marc Ferracci reaffirmed his opposition to reopening the debate on oil exploration in France. Despite proposals from Overseas Minister Manuel Valls, the government is prioritizing a decarbonization strategy aligned with its international commitments.
Energy Minister Marc Ferracci reaffirmed his opposition to reopening the debate on oil exploration in France. Despite proposals from Overseas Minister Manuel Valls, the government is prioritizing a decarbonization strategy aligned with its international commitments.
Donald Trump has signed a decree creating a National Council for Energy Dominance, aimed at massively increasing electricity production. The goal is to strengthen the United States’ competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI), a rapidly expanding and energy-intensive sector.
*Thames Water, a major water supplier in the UK, is facing an environmental investigation over growing concerns regarding its waste management and leaks. This situation raises significant financial stakes for the company.*
*Thames Water, a major water supplier in the UK, is facing an environmental investigation over growing concerns regarding its waste management and leaks. This situation raises significant financial stakes for the company.*
The Medef and thirteen other European employers' organizations launch an initiative to support the nuclear sector in the EU, in response to increasing competitiveness challenges exacerbated by international politics and global economic tensions.
The Medef and thirteen other European employers' organizations launch an initiative to support the nuclear sector in the EU, in response to increasing competitiveness challenges exacerbated by international politics and global economic tensions.
France will invest €100 billion to modernize its power grid by 2035. However, the impact on consumer bills will be limited, according to the network manager RTE.
France will invest €100 billion to modernize its power grid by 2035. However, the impact on consumer bills will be limited, according to the network manager RTE.
The Watt For Change Foundation and the French Development Agency are joining forces to support three initiatives aimed at improving access to renewable energy in Benin, Mauritania, and Madagascar. A €860,000 three-year partnership dedicated to assisting local associations.
The Tanzanian government plans to invest $12.9 billion to add 2.4 GW to its power grid by 2030. This funding aims to expand electricity access to 75% of the population, with significant participation from the private sector.
The Tanzanian government plans to invest $12.9 billion to add 2.4 GW to its power grid by 2030. This funding aims to expand electricity access to 75% of the population, with significant participation from the private sector.
A court demands that all funding linked to federal energy and climate laws, previously suspended, be immediately put back into circulation. This decision is based on a federal judgment challenging the legality of a freeze imposed by the American executive.
A court demands that all funding linked to federal energy and climate laws, previously suspended, be immediately put back into circulation. This decision is based on a federal judgment challenging the legality of a freeze imposed by the American executive.
At the World Summit on Artificial Intelligence in Paris, Emmanuel Macron highlighted nuclear energy as a power source for technological infrastructures, countering Donald Trump's plans to massively expand oil drilling in the United States.
At the World Summit on Artificial Intelligence in Paris, Emmanuel Macron highlighted nuclear energy as a power source for technological infrastructures, countering Donald Trump's plans to massively expand oil drilling in the United States.
Canada will need to build energy infrastructure on an unprecedented scale to meet the federal government's goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector by 2050. A major technical and economic challenge marked by delays and significant costs.
The majority of countries have not submitted their new climate roadmaps to the UN before the February 10 deadline. This delay raises questions about the priorities of major economies amid geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty.
The majority of countries have not submitted their new climate roadmaps to the UN before the February 10 deadline. This delay raises questions about the priorities of major economies amid geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty.
Joseph Saddi is the new Minister of Energy in Lebanon. He inherits a sector weakened by reliance on imports and failing infrastructure, while international partnerships struggle to restart oil and gas exploration.
Joseph Saddi is the new Minister of Energy in Lebanon. He inherits a sector weakened by reliance on imports and failing infrastructure, while international partnerships struggle to restart oil and gas exploration.
Rosatom announces the development of a plasma rocket engine prototype capable of reducing the journey to Mars to just 30 days. This technological breakthrough could have major strategic implications in the race for space exploration.
Rosatom announces the development of a plasma rocket engine prototype capable of reducing the journey to Mars to just 30 days. This technological breakthrough could have major strategic implications in the race for space exploration.
The Canadian government allocates $43.5 million to strengthen energy policy related to critical minerals in Quebec. This investment aims to support infrastructure and research, consolidating the country's strategic supply chains.
Electricity consumption in France increased by 0.7% in 2024, reaching 449.2 terawatt-hours, according to RTE. This slight rise marks a turning point after two years of decline but remains well below pre-2020 levels.
Electricity consumption in France increased by 0.7% in 2024, reaching 449.2 terawatt-hours, according to RTE. This slight rise marks a turning point after two years of decline but remains well below pre-2020 levels.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has announced a reduction in renewable energy subsidies in China. New projects will now have to sell their electricity at market prices, marking a transition to a more autonomous economic model.
The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has announced a reduction in renewable energy subsidies in China. New projects will now have to sell their electricity at market prices, marking a transition to a more autonomous economic model.
Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia have finalized their synchronization with the European electricity grid, ending their dependence on Russian infrastructure. This project, funded with €1.6 billion, strengthens the region’s energy security.
Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia have finalized their synchronization with the European electricity grid, ending their dependence on Russian infrastructure. This project, funded with €1.6 billion, strengthens the region’s energy security.
France’s electricity exports generated €5 billion in 2024, an unprecedented level driven by increased volumes despite declining market prices. Italy, Germany, and Belgium were among the main importers.
Engie announces an exceptional increase of €50 for energy vouchers benefiting eligible customers and doubles its contribution to the Housing Solidarity Fund (FSL). This measure comes as rising electricity taxes impact consumers.
Engie announces an exceptional increase of €50 for energy vouchers benefiting eligible customers and doubles its contribution to the Housing Solidarity Fund (FSL). This measure comes as rising electricity taxes impact consumers.
La Lituanie, la Lettonie et l'Estonie vont couper leurs derniers liens avec le réseau électrique russe. Ce basculement, prévu le 8 février, marque leur intégration complète au réseau européen après des années de préparation et d'investissements.
La Lituanie, la Lettonie et l'Estonie vont couper leurs derniers liens avec le réseau électrique russe. Ce basculement, prévu le 8 février, marque leur intégration complète au réseau européen après des années de préparation et d'investissements.
Indonesia must manage ambitious climate commitments while maintaining energy stability. The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), aimed at mobilizing $20 billion, faces financial obstacles and uncertainties regarding international funding.
Indonesia must manage ambitious climate commitments while maintaining energy stability. The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), aimed at mobilizing $20 billion, faces financial obstacles and uncertainties regarding international funding.

Advertising