Report examines potential power concerns for Texas, California

A recently released North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) report has determined Texas and California may potentially face power resource issues this summer.

NERC’s 2019 Summer Reliability Assessment revealed there would be enough resources available to meet this summer’s projected peak electricity demand except for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

The work also showed potential ramping issues associated with the growth in solar generation might impact the California Independent System Operator (CAISO).

ERCOT is known to have one of the lowest anticipated reserve margins in the country, which officials said translates to it having relatively little unused electric generating capacity during times of peak electric load.

NERC officials said the analysis also noted ERCOT’s anticipated reserve margin this summer is lower than last summer’s margin because of load growth, delays in new sources of electricity generation, and the announced mothballing of the 470-megawatt Gibbons Creek coal-fired plant.

The report said CAISO, which covers much of California, faces a potential circumstance in which more solar-powered generators mean other forms of generation must quickly ramp up or ramp down to ensure overall electricity supply closely matches demand.

CAISO maintains it expects to face less risk this summer in comparison to last summer because of greater than normal hydro conditions in the region. However, CAISO also acknowledges the system will be at greater risk in the late summer when hydroelectric output typically falls and electricity demand remains high.