UTSA provides guidance on possible power disruptions

Editor's note: UTSA is providing regular updates on changing conditions of the Texas power grid and its impact. Here is the latest.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 — ERCOT has issued a notice advising that the current Weather Watch remains in effect through Friday, September 8, due to continued high temperatures, high demand and the potential for lower reserves. Additionally, ERCOT projects that electricity demand could exceed supply again today, particularly from the peak hours of 5 to 9 p.m.

ERCOT is asking that Texas conserve power during conservation periods, if safe to do so. It also asking all government agencies, including city and county offices, to reduce energy use at their facilities.

Previously, ERCOT issued an Energy Emergency Alert Level 2 on Wednesday evening around 7:30 p.m. A Level 2 alert is issued when operating reserves have dropped below 1,750 MW and are not expected to recover within 30 minutes. ERCOT moved out of emergency operations a little before 8:45 p.m. yesterday.

The university will continue to follow ERCOT and CPS Energy's guidance, and will continue to be prepared for a potential event.

---

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 — ERCOT has issued an Energy Emergency Alert Level 2 for Wednesday evening. Controlled outages have not been requested at this time but could become necessary if demand isn't lowered.

Please reduce electric use and have a backup plan ready. It is important to conserve electricity between 6 and 9 p.m.

Here's what else you can do to prepare for a rolling blackout and to help conserve energy:

• Raise the thermostat by a degree or two, if you have access to one
• Avoid using large appliances
• Keep your devices such as phones, tablets and laptops charged ahead of time
• Identify ways to store medicines that need refrigeration
• Turn off and unplug all non-essential devices to prevent overload when the power comes back on 

The university will continue to follow ERCOT and CPS Energy's guidance, and will continue to be prepared for a potential event.

---

AUGUST 30, 2023 — ERCOT is projecting that electricity demand could exceed supply this evening. CPS Energy has advised that if ERCOT issues an Energy Emergency Alert, it could be required to start rotating outages, which could happen with little to no notice. The UTSA community should continue to conserve power.

Here's what else you can do to prepare for a rolling blackout and to help conserve energy:

• Raise the thermostat by a degree or two, if you have access to one
• Avoid using large appliances
• Keep your devices such as phones, tablets and laptops charged ahead of time
• Identify ways to store medicines that need refrigeration
• Turn off and unplug all non-essential devices to prevent overload when the power comes back on 

The university will continue to follow ERCOT and CPS Energy's guidance, and will continue to be prepared for a potential event.

---

AUGUST 27, 2023 — ERCOT is calling for electricity conservation from 4 to 9 p.m. today. Operating reserves are expected to be low this afternoon and evening, due to low wind and potential low solar-power generation and high demand.

The UTSA community should continue to conserve power following the tips below.

The university will continue to follow ERCOT and CPS Energy's guidance, and will continue to be prepared for a potential event.

---

AUGUST 26, 2023 — ERCOT is calling for electricity conservation from 3 to 9 p.m. again today, with the continued possibility of entering emergency operations through tomorrow evening.

Operating reserves for ERCOT are expected to be low for several hours this afternoon and into the evening, as well as between 6 and 9 p.m. on Sunday, due to low wind and potential low solar-power generation and high demand.

The UTSA community should continue to conserve power following the tips below.

The university will continue to follow ERCOT and CPS Energy's guidance, and will continue to be prepared for a potential event.

---

AUGUST 25, 2023 — ERCOT is calling for electricity conservation from 3 to 9 p.m. today, with the possibility of entering emergency operations through Sunday, August 27.

Operating reserves for ERCOT are expected to be low for several hours this afternoon and into the evening, as well as between 6 and 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, due to low wind-power generation and high demand.

The UTSA community should continue to conserve power following the tips below. San Antonio conservation efforts yesterday made a difference, saving an estimated 230 MW, the equivalent of powering 172,500 homes.

UTSA is following ERCOT and CPS Energy's guidance, and will continue to be prepared for a potential event.

---

AUGUST 24, 2023 — Buildings and residence halls across UTSA have the potential to experience 15-minute rolling blackouts tonight and conservation measures may be needed through the weekend due to high energy demand across Texas. Understand that outages could happen with little to no notice.

If you are in an on-campus building during an outage, remain calm and follow directions from professors and staff. Emergency lights will come on, and the outages should be limited to 15 minutes.

For students living in residence halls, if there is a power loss, outside emergency lighting will turn on. However, your unit will be without power and lighting during the rolling blackout period. Power to your unit should return after the approximate 15-minute increment. Air conditioning supply is different for each residence hall but should be restored within a relatively short period of time. If your thermostat approaches 80 degrees, contact your RA on-call to request emergency maintenance to confirm your air conditioning has properly reset following the outage. If you have any other urgent needs, contact the RA on-call.

Here's what else you can do to prepare for a rolling blackout and to help conserve energy:

• Raise the thermostat by a degree or two, if you have access to one
• Avoid using large appliances
• Keep your devices such as phones, tablets and laptops charged ahead of time
• Identify ways to store medicines that need refrigeration
• Turn off and unplug all non-essential devices to prevent overload when the power comes back on 

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a Weather Watch through Sunday, August 27. More calls for conservation may be necessary. The Roadrunner community should monitor UTSA Today and the official @UTSA social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and X (Twitter) for updates.

---

---