As part of continued improvements to support grid reliability, ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state’s grid operator) is implementing a voluntary curtailment programme allowing large flexible customers, such as bitcoin mining facilities, to reduce their power use during periods of high demand.
“Our goal with this programme is to work with large customers in supporting the reliability of the Texas power grid,” says Woody Rickerson, ERCOT VP of System Planning. “These customers are large power users but have the flexibility and willingness to reduce their energy use quickly, if needed. By working with these large loads during peak demand periods, we will better serve all Texans while keeping the grid reliable and resilient.”
This programme is primarily intended for large flexible loads, but any large customer directly connected to a Transmission Service Provider’s facility can participate, subject to approval by ERCOT. The programme is temporary and completely voluntary until ERCOT establishes a long-term set of rules. Registration for the programme has just begun, and ERCOT anticipates that it will go ‘live’ in January 2023.
