Electric Grid

When compared with other regional grids, it appears Texas issues more requests for consumers to conserve energy. The recent freeze reignited frustrations over the requests and the grid operators.

The grid's operator has requested that Texans conserve energy to maintain supply during the extreme cold. Many people are having flashbacks to the blackouts in 2021.

Texas grid operators say reserve energy could be in short supply on the Texas grid as frigid weather drives up demand.

Ever since 2021, when a massive winter storm crashed the state’s energy system and left millions without power for days, forecasts like this have provoked deep anxiety in Texas.

Despite improvements in weatherization efforts, Texas' electric grid remains in a precarious position heading into the colder months.

Bitcoin miner Riot Platforms made headlines over the summer for making millions by selling pre-purchased power back to the grid. The news highlighted how the grid can benefit businesses more than consumers.

A panel of judges has said that big power companies cannot be held liable for failure to provide electricity during the 2021 blackout. The reason is Texas’ deregulated energy market.

The grid's independent market monitor has resigned after saying grid operators had "artificially" inflated energy prices.

ERCOT went into emergency operations Wednesday night for the first time since 2021. It's still unclear what caused the power grid to get so close to rolling blackouts so quickly.

To reduce strain on the grid, ERCOT will pay big energy users like manufacturers and bitcoin miners to reduce the power they use. That frees up more electrons for others and keeps supply and demand balanced.