ERCOT said it still expects record demand this summer and the potential need for emergency measures, despite a drop in load from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2019, ERCOT withstood extreme heat and loss of wind power during some of the hottest days to meet multiple demand peaks exceeding the previous year.

ERCOT will likely welcome back double-digit reserve margins next year and well into the decade, according to the grid operator’s latest CDR report.

PJM’s Operating Committee put manual revisions for its gas contingency rules on the fast track to endorsement after approving the changes on the first read.

ERCOT CEO Bill Magness and Texas PUC Chair DeAnn Walker will attend NERC’s Board of Trustees meeting to discuss the grid operator’s slender reserve margins.

ERCOT CEO Bill Magness briefed the Board of Directors on an upcoming trip to NERC and the work of the Battery Energy Storage Task Force.

ERCOT’s low reserve margin sticks out when compared to those of most other regions in the U.S., where their reserves are well above their reference levels.

ERCOT said its final summer 2019 resource adequacy assessment indicates “a potential need” to enter energy emergency alert status for system reliability.

NRG Energy said it expects to return to service an inactive Texas gas plant in time for summer, giving ERCOT additional capacity to play with.

Infocast’s annual ERCOT Market Summit attracted policymakers with utility, solar, wind and other energy executives to explore potential solutions and opportunities in Texas.