Features

Experts Debate Possible Changes to Texas’ Electricity Market at Austin Electricity Conference

It’s one of the most common and predictable experiences in life – flip a switch and the lights come on. Every day, at work, at home – wherever we are, whatever we’re doing, we depend on electricity for virtually everything. But what if that seemingly boundless supply of energy wasn’t such a sure thing? And what’s the best way to make sure the lights will continue to come on when we flip that switch?

The question of how to ensure sufficient supplies of electricity to meet expected demand – ‘resource adequacy’ as it is known in energy industry parlance – was deliberated recently at the third Annual Austin Electricity Conference, held April 18-19 on The University of Texas at Austin campus.

Read more: Meeting the Demand for Power

Austin Electricity Conference Examines Prospects for Successful Demand Response Programs

Power grid operators, in Texas and elsewhere, must make difficult decisions when the demand for electricity strains the system’s limits. They can add more electricity to the grid by turning on another power plant, but that can be costly and increases toxic emissions. Alternatively, they can lower demand for power by asking consumers and businesses to reduce their energy usage.

Such choices are serious business in Texas because the state’s population and economy continue to grow. Decisions made by operators of the state’s power grid – the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT – could help prevent blackouts and further ensure system reliability.

Read more: The Role of Consumers in Ensuring a Reliable Power Grid

Michael Webber Provides Candid Insights on Emerging Trends, Opportunities for Businesses

By Gary Rasp

U.S. businesses must adapt to emerging trends if they are to fully take advantage of opportunities presented by a rapidly evolving global energy marketplace, contended Dr. Michael Webber, an energy researcher, professor and acclaimed public speaker during a recent lecture on the UT Austin campus.

Webber, an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, provided his insights on the changing energy world during a lecture for the McCombs School of Business’ Texas Enterprise Speaker Series. About 100 academics, energy industry professionals and representatives of non-governmental organizations attended the April 16 presentation.

Read more: Adapting to Changing Energy Markets

American consumers hold widely divergent views on energy issues that often reflect partisan bias, the latest UT Energy Poll reports. Findings from the national online poll, released Tuesday by The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, shows that despite their differences on many issues, many consumers – regardless of their political affiliation – oppose selling domestically produced natural gas to other countries.  Read the McCombs press release for more, and click here for the Texas Enterprise story on the energy poll.