HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0006) IR 21-10617 - Electric Grid Issues and CommunicationINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 21-10617
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 3, 2021
Page 1 of 2
i
o �
SUBJECT: ELECTRIC GRID ISSUES AND COMMUNICATION
r�rA
re�a
The purpose of this report is to respond to Council's request is to provide information regarding the city's
communication of electric grid issues.
When electric supply and demand can't be balanced with normal procedures, ERCOT begins emergency
operations using three levels of Energy Emergency Alerts (EEAs) — Levels 1, 2 and 3.
• LEVEL 1 (Conservation Critical; Risk of Controlled Outages) - If operating reserves drop below
2,300* MW and are not expected to recover within 30 minutes. ERCOT can call on all available
power supplies, including power from other grids, if available.
• LEVEL 2 (Conservation Critical; Risk of Controlled Outages) - If operating reserves drop below
1,750 MW and are not expected to recover within 30 minutes. ERCOT can also use demand
response resources that have been procured to address tight operating conditions.
• LEVEL 3 (Conservation Critical; Controlled Outages Underway) - If operating reserves drop below
1,375 MW, ERCOT moves into level 3. If operating reserves drop below 1,000 MW and are not
expected to recover within 30 minutes and/or the grid's frequency level cannot be maintained at 60
Hz. This type of demand reduction is only used as a last resort to preserve the reliability of the
electric system as a whole. Each utility is responsible for deciding how to decrease demand in their
area. This is typically done through rotating outages, which are controlled, temporary interruptions
of electric service. In extreme circumstances, more prolonged outages may be required to balance
supply and demand on the electric system.
ERCOT issues real-time notices related to energy emergencies through their app, ERCOT Twitter, or if
customers subscribe to ERCOT's EmergencyAlerts and News —Bulletins. The City of Fort Worth and Fire
Office of Emergency Management receive State of Texas Operations Center notifications when there is
potential impacts to residents of the State of Texas. Distribution of the messaging is dependent upon the
level of urgency from ERCOT regarding the potential impact to the residents.
GENERAL ERCOT Messaging:
All messages from ERCOT regarding Level 2 "conserve energy" will be reposted on all
FWFD/OEM/City of Fort Worth social media platforms.
o This includes posts on FIRE/City of Fort Worth NextDoor accounts.
Messaging should be shared by other city departments to increase message reach.
Using fortworthtexas.gov alerts at this stage may be excessive, as ERCOT will issue multiple
"conserve energy" messages throughout the winter and summer.
INCREASED/ IMMEDIATE Urgency ERCOT Messaging:
- All messages from ERCOT regarding Level 3 "rolling blackouts/impact to electricity availability"
will be reposted on all FWFD/OEM/City of Fort Worth social media platforms.
o This includes posting to the FIRE/City of Fort Worth NextDoor accounts.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 21-10617
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 3, 2021
Page 2of2
i
o �
SUBJECT: ELECTRIC GRID ISSUES AND COMMUNICATION
r�rA
re�a
o This messaging will be uniform and will be shared by other City Departments on their
platforms.
- If needed, cooling centers (summer) or warming centers (winter) would be activated prior to any
media outreach so all necessary information is available to the public. In the instance of prolonged
outages and extreme heat/cold, shelter locations would also be activated under the direction of
Neighborhood Services.
- All SNAP registrant data will be pulled by OEM to identify the residents that are electric dependent
(medical reasons). Should the situation be immediate, the registrants would be notified of the
situation and resources available.
- A fortworthtexas.gov alert would be issued to all Fort Worth residents that are registered for the
alerts.
- A potential media alert from the Fire PIO would be pushed out with preparation messaging for
Increased Urgency but would be sent out for immediate urgency to include expected duration of the
rolling blackouts/power outages.
Increased awareness and outreach
Although an extensive outreach campaign was conducted for the FortWorthAlerts service when it
was launched, FIRE/OEM is working with the Communications & Public Engagement department
to increase the registrants through a new outreach campaign this fall.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS