Texas breaks electric record as schools reopen

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said high temperatures caused power use on August 23 to reach 65,715 megawatts in one hour as many school districts and universities across the state resumed classes.

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) August 23, 2010 -- Texas set a fourth all-time electric use record August 23 as many school districts and universities across the state resumed classes, boosting air conditioning demand and straining power supplies, according to initial data from the state grid operator.

Power use between 4 and 5 p.m. CDT was 65,715 megawatts, surpassing the 64,805-MW record set 1 week ago, said the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

Because of the economic slowdown, ERCOT did not expect peak-hour power consumption to reach 65,000 MW before the summer of 2011.

"The ERCOT region is continuing to experience high temperatures throughout the state which is causing high electricity usage," said ERCOT's vice president of system planning and operations.

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67M5EX20100823?type=domesticNews

Source: DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report