As the ERCOT market prepares for a projected 150 GW increase in load by 2030, significant changes are on the horizon. As a massive buildout of solar capacity takes shape, the required duration of BESS will also change dramatically.
While ERCOT’s deregulated grid has fostered competition to keep prices low, cheap power comes at a cost when the grid is pushed to its limit. Extreme weather events in recent years paired with the state’s intense power needs have demonstrated why Texas needs to begin thinking about building reserve capacity.
This session will explore the evolution of Texas’ energy market, focusing on the shift from 1-hour to 2-hour Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and the long-term forecast for BESS duration.
Caroline Brannock of BASF Corporation, Hugh McDermott of ESS Inc. and Ray Saka of IHI Terrasun Solutions will discuss how these changes impact battery technology, product competition, and project design, and examine the financial incentives driving technological advancements necessary for supporting the growth in solar capacity. The audience will gain insights into how to address the state’s energy needs, as well as why ERCOT is well-suited to accommodate the deployment of LDES systems.
**Requires a conference pass
