Growth of energy storage helps Texas power grid stability, data shows
The American Clean Power Association released new findings on Monday.
AUSTIN, Texas —
Texas has the fastest growing energy storage market in the country, and there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon.
According to the American Clean Power Association's analysis, released on Monday, that growth will help the state's power grid operator better handle extreme weather events.
The analysis comes about a week after the state's power grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), predicted a higher chance for extreme cold this winter.
Noah Roberts is the vice president of Energy Storage for the American Clean Power Association (ACP). He said five gigawatts of battery storage were added to the Texas power grid in the past year and helped the grid operator avoid calls for conservation this past summer.
In the summer and fall of 2023, ERCOT asked Texans to conserve energy 11 times. According to ERCOT, one gigawatt can power about 250,000 homes on average.
The ACP also found energy demand in Texas skyrocketed over the past two years, and the group anticipates rising energy demand to continue in the future.
“Population growth is a part of it, but really, the economic growth and the economic success of Texas is a real driver. Whether that's data centers or gigafactories, even the expansion of refining capacity for fuels, the economy in Texas is growing," Roberts said.
ACP’s analysis also showed additional energy storage contributed to $750 million in cost reductions.
The group also said that battery storage, wind and solar made up nearly 50% of ERCOT’s power at the end of September and that number is only expected to increase.
According to the ACP, nearly 4.5 gigawatts are currently under construction and 7.3 gigawatts are in the works.
KVUE also asked Roberts about the opposition from some Texans who don't want to live near or next to battery energy storage systems.
"I think whenever there's construction of a new type of infrastructure, that generates community questions and concerns. But energy storage has an outstanding track record on safety. You know, there has not been an incident that has posed a risk to anyone beyond the secure site of a facility. They're designed with safety as the forefront of the of the process. And so, energy storage facilities are incredibly safe," Roberts said. "And just like a substation or a transformer or transmission line, it's a critical part of our electric grid. And it's gonna keep the lights on which really is important for public safety."