Texas grid operator ERCOT was forced to take unprecedented emergency measures on Wednesday to avoid rolling blackouts amid a heatwave as wind turbines failed to produce energy due to low winds.
ERCOT manages electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers and represents 90% of the state’s electric load, according to the company.
On Monday ERCOT asked customers to voluntarily raise thermostats a degree or two, turn off lights, avoid using ovens, washing machines and dryers, and unplug appliances if possible during the hours of 2-8 pm.
According to ERCOT, a heatwave along with very low winds is causing the latest conservation alert.
The heatwave knocked out the power during a Houston weatherman’s live broadcast on Wednesday afternoon.
WATCH:
That moment you’re on live TV talking about the hot weather in Texas that could lead to rolling blackouts…and then the power goes out. 😳 pic.twitter.com/R2lkgxyKHi
— Travis Herzog (@TravisABC13) July 13, 2022
ABC 13 Houston meteorologist Travis Herzog said another power outage happened during his 5 pm broadcast too.
Y’all, I kid you not. It just happened AGAIN during my 5PM broadcast. 🤦♂️https://t.co/CHykL9ldC0
— Travis Herzog (@TravisABC13) July 13, 2022
“Mystery solved. One of our engineers informed me we went off the grid a little after 3PM. The studio lights aren’t on a dedicated backup power source, so they went off as we switched generator power. Two hours later we went off generator and on the grid and the process repeated.” he said.
Mystery solved. One of our engineers informed me we went off the grid a little after 3PM. The studio lights aren’t on a dedicated backup power source, so they went off as we switched generator power. Two hours later we went off generator and on the grid and the process repeated.
— Travis Herzog (@TravisABC13) July 14, 2022
The wind turbines are not producing enough energy right now, according to ERCOT.
“Wind generation is currently generating significantly less than what it historically generated in this time period,” ERCOT said in a press release. “Current projections show wind generation coming in less than 10 percent of its capacity.”
