Vegas also called for permission for ERCOT to require data centers and other industrial facilities to stop drawing electricity, if necessary.
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ERCOT has received federal authorization to deploy data center backup generators to prevent any possible rotating outages caused by this week’s winter storm.
Issued by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Jan. 25, the emergency authorization came at the request of ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas. ERCOT earlier forecast that it would have sufficient capacity to meet demand during the storm. However, that capacity gap has narrowed somewhat, prompting the request, according to reports.
In his request, Vegas also requested permission for ERCOT to require data centers and some other industrial facilities to stop drawing electricity, if necessary. At ERCOT’s direction, these facilities would have to use their on-site backup generators for power or shut down, according to reports.
“This extreme level of demand raises a significant risk of emergency conditions that could jeopardize electric reliability and public safety,” ERCOT’s Vegas wrote in a letter to the Energy Secretary.
ERCOT would only use this new emergency authority after it has exhausted most of its other tools to prevent rotating outages, Vegas wrote.
In the order, Energy Secretary Wright said that ERCOT must notify the DOE if any of the backup units were deployed, as they are diesel-powered and emit high levels of noise and air pollution.
The order is to remain in effect through Tuesday, Jan. 27.