ERCOT again saw load reach record levels Monday and Tuesday as searing heat continues to bake the already well-done region.
Average demand exceeded the 83 GW barrier for the first time when it hit 83.05 GW during the late afternoon Monday. Demand bettered that mark during three hourly intervals Tuesday, with a new high of 83.59 GW established during the hour ending at 5 p.m.
ERCOT has now bettered its previous record of 82.59 GW set July 18 eight times this week.
Solar resources are again carrying a heavy load for ERCOT during the afternoons, producing a near-record 13.35 GW of energy Monday. Solar set a new high July 28 when it peaked at 13.42 GW.
Batteries are also helping fill in the afternoon gap, exceeding 1,000 MW for the first time Monday.
Average hub prices settled as high as $3,148 Monday between 6:45 and 8 p.m., but they have remained in double digits for most of the time.
The Texas grid operator is projecting demand to peak above 83 GW for the rest of the week and to exceed 85 GW Aug. 7. Average demand has been above 80 GW for 70 hourly intervals this summer after reaching that mark just once last year.
The National Weather Service on Sunday issued an extreme heat warning for much of North Texas; temperatures in the Dallas area were expected to hit 107 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday.
In far West Texas Sunday, temperatures only reached only 97 degrees in El Paso, ending a string of 44 straight days over 100. Austin, in Central Texas, has an active streak of 25 straight days over 100.
