Texas got through this summer without a single conservation alert, but ERCOT says the calm masks deeper challenges ahead. (Houston Chronicle)
Cooler weather + record contributions from solar and batteries = supply ahead of demand, with wholesale prices dropping to some of their lowest August levels in years.
Even so, total power use in Texas jumped faster than the national average at more than 5%—fueled by data centers, crypto mines, and electrification in oil and gas.
ERCOT warns the real stress test will come in winter, when solar is less useful and batteries may not be able to bridge a prolonged freeze.