Does Texas make much use of Solar Energy?

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

Big question on the bolded --

I can't help but feel that expanding energy capacity for the Austin metro is inevitable given how much they are pushing growth in Austin. Are they in lue of expanding energy capacity - trying/hoping that residents will first invest in solar? At what point will they expand capacity if they continue to develop out here? (basically what I'm asking is, at what point is 'absolutely have to?' - because to me it sounds like Austin is already pretty darn close to that point.)

Well, it is always a weird concept, since the grid is all connected and such. Although AE owns several generating facilities with a capacity of ~2570 MW, the output is 'sold' and 'bought' via ERCOT. As long as there is capacity on the Texas grid, AE will have enough power.

It looks like AE served 13.4 million MWh all of last year, which averages out to about 1,531 MW per hour compared to the generating capacity of 2,570 MW per hour, or about 60% of capacity. Of course, demand is not constant, so on any given hour I don't know how close AE is or how much over the demand is. All of the units (or portions of units) that AE owns are 'traditional' - gas, coal, or nuke - and not dependent on wind or sun.

AE serves about 7.7% more customers now (end of 2018, last year of data) than in 2015. Use per customer is down about 1.8% over the same period. Part of that is the large growth of residential commercial and the lack of significant growth in industrial, but is also part of energy efficiency programs.

Peak Demand Data (2006 - 2018):
2017: 2755 MW (highest in range) - 107% of AE generating capacity.
2018: 2654 MW - 103% of AE generation

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Well, it is always a weird concept, since the grid is all connected and such. Although AE owns several generating facilities with a capacity of ~2570 MW, the output is 'sold' and 'bought' via ERCOT. As long as there is capacity on the Texas grid, AE will have enough power.

It looks like AE served 13.4 million MWh all of last year, which averages out to about 1,531 MW per hour compared to the generating capacity of 2,570 MW per hour, or about 60% of capacity. Of course, demand is not constant, so on any given hour I don't know how close AE is or how much over the demand is. All of the units (or portions of units) that AE owns are 'traditional' - gas, coal, or nuke - and not dependent on wind or sun.

AE serves about 7.7% more customers now (end of 2018, last year of data) than in 2015. Use per customer is down about 1.8% over the same period. Part of that is the large growth of residential commercial and the lack of significant growth in industrial, but is also part of energy efficiency programs.

Peak Demand Data (2006 - 2018):
2017: 2755 MW (highest in range) - 107% of AE generating capacity.
2018: 2654 MW - 103% of AE generation

I see, so basically if AE runs out of reserve they can purchase more energy from other sources in Texas given the grid is connected, however; I'm guessing doing so will cost consumers more. Right now it sounds as if AE is only operating primarily their independent grid?

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

I see, so basically if AE runs out of reserve they can purchase more energy from other sources in Texas given the grid is connected, however; I'm guessing doing so will cost consumers more. Right now it sounds as if AE is only operating primarily their independent grid?

Well, they buy and sell to the grid on a daily basis - usually more selling than buying. If we have to buy a lot of power, then it costs more than otherwise. AE adjusts the electric bill every year to reflect the projected effective cost. San Antonio (via CPS Energy) adjusts theirs monthly.