What Is the Texas Power Grid, and Why Does It Matter?

What Is the Texas Power Grid, and Why Does It Matter?

The power grid charges life in Texas, bringing electricity to the state, enabling everything from data centers to mobile phones. And it’s under more strain than ever before: with 1,000 people moving here every week, and the rise of businesses that require a lot of electricity, demand is higher for reliable energy. Read on to learn more about what the power grid is, and what difference it makes in your life. 

Power Grids 101

Power is created, or generated, at facilities ranging from wind turbines to solar arrays, coal or natural gas facilities, or even hydroelectric dams. It is then carried along high voltage power lines, for long distances to transmission substations. At these substations, the voltage is converted to extremely high levels before it is distributed into local networks, which use step-down transformers to bring the power to the right voltage for homes and businesses. And that’s not all: grid operators use sophisticated technology to increase or decrease power generation to match demand, as well as store energy anywhere from seconds to hours, so it will be ready when we need it. 

ERCOT, PUCT, FERC, AND WHAT THEY DO

Maybe you’ve heard of ERCOT? The Electric Reliability Council of Texas is part of the state government, overseeing the grid, working to ensure its reliability, facilitate the energy market, and ensure that every Texan has access to energy transmission.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) oversees ERCOT as well as the state’s other utilities like telecom, water, and sewage, ensuring that stability and reliability are maintained. And the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) also pitches in to help, especially with the wholesaling of energy between states, grid reliability, and environmental concerns. 

Why Does Texas Have Its Own Power Grid?

Did you know that Texas is the only state in the Union with its own power grid. We’re just so darn big, it’s necessary. This means not only that power is generated locally (or purchased from other grids), but we also have our own substations, transformers, power lines, and all of the other equipment that brings electricity from power plants to your home. 

In 1935, Texas opted not to link up to the multi-state grids elsewhere in the nation. Legislators saw this not only as a way to ensure that we retained state control over energy, but also as a means of growing business. And because we have the space, sunshine, and wind power to generate a lot of electricity, in the years since we have become a leader in reliable and renewable energy advances. 

What Is the State of the Power Grid in Texas?

It’s not all sunshine and roses, as anyone who lived here during 2021’s Winter Storm Uri well knows. Because the power grid here was built to withstand the scorching heat of summer months, large portions of the generating and transmitting equipment were not winterized, and during Uri we saw outages across the state that lasted for multiple days. Just a few months after the storm hit, a law was passed to reform ERCOT and better equip the grid for extreme weather. 

Advances in the Smart Grid  

Our grid is also getting smarter, by applying technologies that enable real-time power management, so the grid can self-regulate in crisis situations by diverting power around outages, and even respond to peak demand.  

More Green Energy

The state is also bringing more power from renewable resources into the grid. Known as diversification, it helps ensure that reliable energy will be available from regions that are heavily dependent on solar or wind energy, or on the fluctuating prices of coal and natural gas. Diversifying helps ensure that the lights (and the HVAC) stay on when a crisis hits. 

What to Do in a Crisis

First of all, you can manage your own power usage to decrease strain on the grid: if thousands of Texans take matters into their own hands, then it makes a huge difference. Most importantly, you can shift certain behaviors away from on-peak hours, when there is the most demand. Think about charging your electric vehicles and doing laundry or running the dishwasher after 10 pm, or even adjusting your thermostat a few degrees between 6 and 10, to help reduce grid strain – and save a few bucks on your electric bill, too. 

How to Stay Informed and Prepared

Thanks to the wonders of the internet, you can stay up to date on weather alerts as well as email notices from ERCOT about emergencies. You can also keep a few items handy in case of an outage, such as water, nonperishable foods, a hand-crank or solar powered charging station, and of course a first aid kit. 

And to report an outage? Contact your utility company, since they are the ones who maintain the grid infrastructure. Find the right number to call today, and then keep it somewhere that’s easy to access, like on your refrigerator or on your mobile device, in case the day comes that you need it. 

At Energy Texas, We’re Here to Make Life Easier… and Better

We’re committed to providing you a worry-free experience, with the best rate possible. Visit