The Grid Conditions dashboard has two displays: Operating Reserves and Daily PRC. The Operating Reserves meter shows the current state of grid conditions as well as the amount of operating reserves. The Daily PRC graph shows both recent and current Physical Responsive Capability (PRC), which is the total amount of frequency responsive Resource capability On-Line in Real-Time.
Note: This number shows the current Operating Reserves. It does not reflect the limited duration of Energy Storage Resources (ESRs). This current view is not necessarily indicative of future Operating Reserves as ESR energy is depleted. On average, these ESRs are only able to provide energy for one to two hours when fully deployed.
The Daily PRC graph shows the amount of operating reserves that represent Physical Responsive Capability (PRC), which includes the generation and load resources that are available to respond quickly to system events in case of sudden changes, such as an unexpected outage at a large generating unit. Reserves help ERCOT maintain system frequency at 60 Hz, the industry standard.
Grid Conditions Levels
What Is a Weather Watch?
An ERCOT Weather Watch is an advance notification of forecasted significant weather with high demand. Grid conditions are expected to be normal, but due to forecasted conditions, operating reserves may be lower.
Critical Medical Needs Reminder
If you have medical needs, we suggest you contact your local electric utility and notify them. Controlled outages are not expected at this time, but it’s always best to have a plan in place.
Stay Informed
For the latest information during a Voluntary Conservation Notice:
- Subscribe to TXANSnotifications.
- Monitor current and extended grid conditions on ERCOT dashboards.
- Download the ERCOT mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Follow ERCOT on social media: Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn
- View ERCOT’s news releases.
A Voluntary Conservation Notice is a call for Texans to voluntarily reduce energy usage during peak demand periods, if safe to do so. On days when electric demand is high, ERCOT can issue a Voluntary Conservation Notice to help decrease demand while we deploy available tools to manage the grid reliably.
Conservation is a common tool used throughout the industry to support grid reliability.
Critical Medical Needs Reminder
If you have medical needs, we suggest you contact your local electric utility and notify them. Controlled outages are not expected at this time, but it’s always best to have a plan in place.
Stay Informed
For the latest information during a Voluntary Conservation Notice:
- Subscribe to TXANSnotifications.
- Monitor current and extended grid conditions on ERCOT dashboards.
- Download the ERCOT mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Follow ERCOT on social media: Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn
- View ERCOT’s news releases.
When a Conservation Appeal is issued, ERCOT will ask consumers and businesses to reduce electric use, if safe to do so.
ERCOT also requests all government agencies (including city and county offices) to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.
For energy-saving tips, visit the TXANSpage. Simple actions can help balance electric supply and demand and improve grid reliability.
What is a Conservation Appeal?
A Conservation Appeal is an elevated request for Texans to reduce their energy use during peak demand periods when there is a potential to enter emergency operations due to lower reserves. Help from Texans to conserve electricity use, if safe to do so, will assist grid reliability.
On days when electric demand approaches the amount of available supply, ERCOT can issue a Conservation Appeal to help decrease demand while we deploy available tools to manage the grid reliably.
Conservation is a common tool used throughout the industry to support grid reliability.
Critical Medical Needs Reminder
If you have medical needs, please know this is only a voluntary request. Contact your local electric utility and have a backup plan in case controlled outages are needed later.
Stay Informed
For the latest information during a Voluntary Conservation Notice:
- Subscribe to TXANSnotifications.
- Monitor current and extended grid conditions on ERCOT dashboards.
- Download the ERCOT mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Follow ERCOT on social media: Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn
- View ERCOT’s news releases.
Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) 1 is the first level of emergency operations and is issued to maintain reliability of the grid. If you are experiencing an outage during an EEA 1, it is local in nature. Please check with your local electric provider for more information.
Please safely reduce electric use during an EEA 1. Energy-saving tips are available on ERCOT’s TXANS page.
ERCOT has requested all government agencies (including city and county offices) to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.
Entering emergency operations does not mean that ERCOT is expecting to call for controlled power outages. It means that ERCOT has access to more power reserves that help prevent power outages.
ERCOT is bringing all available generation online, releasing any remaining reserves, and using demand response to lower electric demand. ERCOT is also working with out-of-state Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Market Participants to obtain additional power generation capacity.
ERCOT does not own, operate, or maintain any of the generation units on the grid, but ERCOT works closely with the Market Participants that own and operate these units.
ERCOT will continue to monitor conditions and deploy all available tools as part of our reliability-first approach to operations.
Critical Medical Needs Reminder
If you have critical medical needs, contact your local electric utility and have a backup plan in case controlled outages are needed later.
Electric Grid Description
When reserves on the system get low, ERCOT begins emergency operations using three levels of Energy Emergency Alerts (EEAs). These levels provide access to additional power sources only available during emergency conditions to protect the reliability of the electric system. Entering emergency operations does not mean that ERCOT is expecting to call for controlled power outages, which would affect all customer classes, including residential, commercial, and industrial. Entering emergency operations means that ERCOT has access to more power reserves that help prevent power outages.
An EEA 1 is issued when ERCOT’s operating reserves drop below 2,500 MW and are expected to remain below that level for at least 30 minutes. Controlled outages have not been requested but are possible if reserves continue to decline and are expected to fall below 1,500 MW for at least 30 minutes (link to EEA 3).
See ERCOT’s news releases or this overview of emergency conditions for more information.
1 MW is enough to serve about 250 residential customers during ERCOT peak hours.
What You Can Do
You can use these energy-saving tips to lower your electric use during this peak demand time, if safe to do so. Simple steps, such as lowering/raising your thermostat a degree or two, turning off extra lights, and not using large appliances, such as washer, dryers and dishwashers, can help.
Stay Informed
For the latest information during a Voluntary Conservation Notice:
- Subscribe to TXANSnotifications.
- Monitor current and extended grid conditions on ERCOT dashboards.
- Download the ERCOT mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Follow ERCOT on social media: Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn
- View ERCOT’s news releases.
Consumer Assistance
Public Utility Commission Consumer Hotline: 1-888-782-8477
Office of Public Utility Counsel Consumer Assistance: 1-877-839-036
Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) 2 is the second level of emergency operations and issued to maintain reliability of the grid as operating reserves are continuing to decline. If you are experiencing an outage during an EEA 2, it is local in nature. Please check with your local electric provider for more information.
Safely reducing electric use is critical. Energy-saving tips are available on the TXANS page.
ERCOT has requested all government agencies (including city and county offices) to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.
Entering emergency operations does not mean that ERCOT is expecting to call for controlled power outages. It means that ERCOT has access to more power reserves that help prevent power outages.
ERCOT is bringing all available generation online, releasing any remaining reserves, and using demand response to lower electric demand. ERCOT is also working with out-of-state Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Market Participants to obtain additional power generation capacity.
ERCOT does not own, operate, or maintain any of the generation units on the grid, but ERCOT works closely with the Market Participants that own and operate these units.
ERCOT will continue to monitor conditions and deploy all available tools as part of our reliability-first approach to operations.
Critical Medical Needs Reminder
If you have critical medical needs, contact your local electric utility and have a backup plan in case controlled outages are needed.
Electric Grid Description
When reserves on the system get low, ERCOT begins emergency operations using three levels of Energy Emergency Alerts (EEAs). These levels provide access to additional power sources only available during emergency conditions to protect the reliability of the electric system. Entering emergency operations does not mean that ERCOT is expecting to call for controlled power outages, which would affect all customer classes, including residential, commercial, and industrial. Entering emergency operations means that ERCOT has access to more power reserves that help prevent power outages.
An EEA 2 is issued when ERCOT’s operating reserves have dropped below 2,000 MW and are not expected to recover within 30 minutes, or frequency drops below 59.91 Hz for 15 minutes. Controlled outages have not been requested at this time, however, could become necessary if demand isn’t lowered or additional supply cannot be added from generators.
See ERCOT’s news releases or this overview of emergency conditions for more information. 1 MW is enough to serve about 250 residential customers during ERCOT peak hours.
What You Can Do
You can use these energy-saving tips to lower your electric use during this peak demand time, if safe to do so. Simple steps, such as lowering/raising your thermostat a degree or two, turning off extra lights, and not using large appliances, such as washer, dryers and dishwashers, can help.
Stay Informed
For the latest information during a Voluntary Conservation Notice:
- Subscribe to TXANSnotifications.
- Monitor current and extended grid conditions on ERCOT dashboards.
- Download the ERCOT mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Follow ERCOT on social media: Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn
- View ERCOT’s news releases.
Consumer Assistance
Public Utility Commission Consumer Hotline: 1-888-782-8477
Office of Public Utility Counsel Consumer Assistance: 1-877-839-036
Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) 3 is the third, and most critical, level of emergency operations. During an EEA 3, ERCOT will direct transmission operators across the ERCOT region to reduce power on the grid through controlled outages, which impact all customer classes, including residential, commercial, and industrial.
Conservation is critical in an EEA 3. Please continue to conserve electricity when you have power during these controlled outages. Energy-saving tips are available on the TXANS page.
ERCOT has requested all government agencies (including city and county offices) to implement all programs to reduce energy use at their facilities.
Controlled outages are electric service interruptions ordered by ERCOT and implemented by local/regional utilities and transmission operators. They are used as a last resort to quickly reduce electric demand and preserve the reliability of the electric system as a whole. Controlled outages impact all customer classes, including residential, commercial, and industrial.
ERCOT provides a percentage of load reduction to the local/regional utilities and transmission operators. Each transmission operator or local/regional utility company is responsible for how to decrease demand and manage the outage within their service area.
What We’re Doing Now
ERCOT has directed transmission operators and local/regional utilities across the ERCOT region to reduce power on the grid through controlled outages, which impact all customer classes, including residential, commercial, and industrial.
ERCOT is working to prevent damage and uncontrolled, cascading outages on the electric grid. This includes closely managing supply and demand while working with generation owners to increase their supply as soon as soon as possible.
The use of controlled outages is one of the last remaining steps in a series needed to maintain overall grid stability. Prior to the use of controlled outages, ERCOT brought all available generation online, released available reserves from ancillary services, implemented voltage reduction, and used demand response to lower electric demand. ERCOT is also working with out-of-state Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Market Participants to obtain any additional power generation capacity.
ERCOT does not own, operate, or maintain any of the generation units on the grid, but ERCOT works closely with the Market Participants that own and operate these units.
Electric Grid Description
When reserves on the system get low, ERCOT begins emergency operations using three levels of Energy Emergency Alerts (EEAs). These levels provide access to additional power sources only available during emergency conditions to protect the reliability of the electric system. Entering emergency operations does not mean that ERCOT is expecting to call for controlled power outages, which would affect all customer classes, including residential, commercial, and industrial. Entering emergency operations means that ERCOT has access to more power reserves that help prevent power outages.
An EEA 3 is issued when ERCOT’s operating reserves have dropped below 1,500 MW, or frequency drops below 59.8 Hz for any period of time. ERCOT has directed Transmission and Distribution Service Providers to reduce demand, which they do through controlled outages, which impact every customer class, including residential, commercial, and industrial.
When ERCOT directs TDSPs to reduce demand, each provider is given a percentage in megawatts to reduce demand in their service area (see load shed table). Each local/regional utility and transmission operator is responsible for how to manage outage in their service area.
See ERCOT’s news releases or this overview of emergency conditions for more information.
1 MW is enough to serve about 250 residential customers during ERCOT peak hours.
Stay Informed
For the latest information during a Voluntary Conservation Notice:
- Subscribe to TXANSnotifications.
- Monitor current and extended grid conditions on ERCOT dashboards.
- Download the ERCOT mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Follow ERCOT on social media: Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn
- View ERCOT’s news releases.
Consumer Assistance
Public Utility Commission Consumer Hotline: 1-888-782-8477
Office of Public Utility Counsel Consumer Assistance: 1-877-839-036
Utility Directories
http://www.puc.state.tx.us/industry/electric/directories/Default.aspx