The significant expansion of battery capacity in ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) is helping lessen the impact and cost of extreme weather, according to a new report from Aurora Energy Research, and has played an essential part in keeping the lights on, freeing up natural gas power plants from participation in the ancillary services market and enabling them to move into the energy market during periods of system stress.
During the January 2024 winter freeze, batteries saved an estimated $750 million in day-ahead market costs by fulfilling essential ancillary services and freeing up to 3 GW of gas generation, Aurora estimates. Throughout the summer of 2023 and especially on 6 September, amid extreme heat and surging power demand, batteries kept the lights on and averted an emergency load-shedding event by dispatching a peak of 2 GW of power when ERCOT reserves were lowest.
Further information: danielle.startsev@auroraer.com
