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The largest grid operator in the U.S., PJM, has more than 3,000 active projects in its interconnection queue, more than four other ISOs combined. And it used to be easy to build in Texas, but ERCOT is facing the same challenges as other regions. Spearmint Energy's Andrew Waranch and Gina Wolf examine the nuances of building ISO supply in this episode of Power Plays.
The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: It's the final days of the 89th Texas Legislature. Here are some of the late breaking items covered today: Texas Poised to Enforce Age Verification on Apple, Google App Stores House Approves Legislation to Protect Students From Sexual Content – or how the Leftist media characterizes it: Texas Legislature poised to implement sweeping restrictions on school libraries. $2.5 Billion Water Infrastructure Deal, Additional 20-Year Annual $1 Billion Struck Texas Legislature moves to observe daylight saving time year-round – federal law would have to change first Tort reform: New limits for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits may become a reality in Texas. ERCOT would get a ‘kill switch' for large consumers under bill passed in House Democrats kill bill to stop bum encampments in Texas cities Dems run down the clock to defeat Texas ‘SAVE' act and Lege's most-restrictive abortion bill. – two important bills and who controls “the clock?” House leadership does. Leftist press pretends that “transgender” folk have special “rights” that Republicans are “targeting.“ Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Texas manufacturing production steady – Dallas Fed report.Texas Lottery scandal now includes guilty pleas in federal investigation. But lawmakers didn't have the guts to shut it all down.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com
Senate Bill 6's so-called “kill switch” provision, which would give the Electric Reliability Council of Texas the power to shut off power to large consumers during power grid emergencies, has faced the most attention in a substantial legislative proposal designed to address issues facing the ERCOT power grid. The bill passed 117-24. In other news, Texas public schools are on the verge of garnering a record-breaking increase in state funding after the Senate approved a wide-ranging finance bill on Friday; the city of Dallas is hosting an Expedited Passport Day for residents who need to obtain or renew their passports. The event will take place on Thursday, May 29, in the Flag Room on the sixth floor of Dallas City Hall from 9 a.m. to noon. Residents must register in advance and choose a 15-minute time slot. It takes two to three weeks to get the passport through the expedited process. The cost for adults seeking their passports for the first time is $225. It's $190 to renew and $195 for minors. These prices already include the $60 fee for expedited processing. Payments will only be accepted via credit or debit card or money order. Cash is not accepted. All passport applicants, including minors, must be present; and an effort that would force some of Texas' most iconic foods and drinks — including Dr Pepper, Blue Bell Ice Cream and Buc-ee's Famous Beaver Nuggets — to change recipes or label their products as “not recommended for human consumption” was decisively rejected by the Texas House on Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
KeywordsBitcoin mining, energy grid, ERCOT, legislation, grid reliability, energy abundance, flexible load, Texas energy, legislative advocacy, energy innovationSummaryThis conversation explores the intersection of Bitcoin mining and energy legislation in Texas, focusing on the roles of key figures in the industry and the legislative challenges they face. The discussion highlights the potential of Bitcoin mining to enhance grid reliability and the importance of advocacy in shaping favorable legislation. Key bills, SB6 and HB3970, are examined for their implications on the energy market and Bitcoin's role within it.TakeawaysBitcoin mining can significantly enhance grid reliability.Legislative action is crucial for the growth of Bitcoin mining.The relationship between ERCOT, PUC, and the legislature is complex.SB6 may impose restrictions that hinder Bitcoin mining's potential.HB3970 offers a more flexible and innovative approach to energy management.Advocacy is essential for ensuring Bitcoin's role in energy discussions.The energy market is evolving with the introduction of flexible loads.Bitcoin miners are uniquely positioned to respond to energy demands.Collaboration between various stakeholders is key to legislative success.Understanding the intricacies of energy legislation is vital for industry players.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Energy and Bitcoin Mining02:56 The Role of Bitcoin in Grid Reliability05:46 Understanding Legislative Frameworks09:02 Bitcoin Mining's Impact on Energy Markets11:57 Legislative Challenges and Opportunities15:03 Advocacy for Bitcoin in Energy Legislation17:57 Comparing SB6 and HB397021:05 The Future of Bitcoin Mining and Energy Innovation
KeywordsTexas, Bitcoin, energy, ERCOT, mining, culture, private property rights, innovation, economic freedom, legislationSummaryThe conversation explores the unique position of Texas as a hub for Bitcoin mining and energy innovation. The speakers discuss the state's abundant natural resources, deregulated energy market, and cultural attitudes that foster entrepreneurship and innovation. They highlight the role of ERCOT in stabilizing the grid and the importance of private property rights in promoting economic freedom. The discussion also touches on the potential future of Bitcoin and energy legislation in Texas, emphasizing the state's significance in the global Bitcoin landscape.TakeawaysTexas is seen as the center of Bitcoin activity.Stranded energy presents unique opportunities for Bitcoin mining.ERCOT's improvements have enhanced grid stability.Texas has a unique energy culture that supports innovation.Private property rights are crucial for economic freedom.The future of Bitcoin in Texas looks promising.Austin is emerging as a cultural hub for Bitcoin.The Bitcoin industry is largely self-funded and innovative.Texas culture fosters an infectious entrepreneurial spirit.Legislation around Bitcoin and energy is evolving in Texas.Chapters00:00 The Role of Texas in Bitcoin Mining01:27 Stranded Energy and Bitcoin Mining Opportunities04:47 The Evolution of ERCOT and Bitcoin Miners07:45 Cultural and Economic Factors in Texas10:23 Private Property Rights and Bitcoin13:37 The Future of Bitcoin and Energy in Texas16:29 Challenges and Opportunities for Big Energy Companies19:39 The Importance of Community and Collaboration22:27 The Future of Bitcoin Legislation in Texas
Why is the electricity market so broken—and what can we do to fix it?In this episode of the Let People Prosper Show, I interview Glen Lyons, a Texas-based energy expert and advocate for Consumer Regulated Electricity (CRE). Glen shares his journey from advertising to energy policy, offering unique insights on ERCOT's dysfunction, the original sin of electricity monopolies, and how free markets—not central planning—can finally unleash innovation, reliability, and cost savings for consumers.We also explore the growing demands of data centers, the role of AI in energy usage, and why Texas has a golden opportunity to lead the way with CRE.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com. You can also get even greater value by subscribing to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:All-time temperature records look likely to fall for both San Antonio and Austin as a dangerous and alarmingly early heat wave arrives: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/weather/article/dangerous-extreme-heat-texas-20323488.php...Even those who are bullish about ERCOT's prospects with this heat wave are concerned about the many fossil fuel-powered plants that are offline for "normal" May maintenance: https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/texas-grid-ercot-spring-heat-wave-thermal-outages-20323306.php...This kind of heat is no joke - it's important to take extra care and to check in on the elderly or otherwise vulnerable: https://www.statesman.com/story/weather/severe/2025/05/12/texas-heat-wave-extreme-temperatures-texas-weather-austin-san-antonio-houston-dallas/83578591007/Crunch time arrives for bills in the 89th Legislature, as the drop dead moment arrives this week: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/2025/05/12/520648/its-crunch-time-for-texas-house-bills-as-three-key-deadlines-hit-this-week/The National Council of Nonprofits has issued a warning that draft tax legislation released by the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee contains provisions that would allow Donald Trump to arbitrarily shut down non-profit media orgs including NPR, PBS...and Progress Texas: https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/articles/nonprofits-under-threat-whats-house-tax-bill-and-how-you-can-helpWe look forward to celebrating our 15th anniversary this summer! Join us for a celebratory gathering in Dallas on Monday June 9: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/2025anniversaryThe merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social.Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:This week's mid-May heat wave is expected to shatter daily high temperature records - parts of Texas will be hotter than parts of the Sahara Desert between Tuesday and Thursday: https://www.expressnews.com/san-antonio-weather/forecast/article/heat-wave-south-texas-historic-temperatures-20320730.php...ERCOT expects to keep up with power demand, which experts credit to expanded solar generation and battery storage capacity: https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/texas-power-grid-demand-heat-wave-may-2025/285-c06738f9-374d-4b31-9416-4286467c0bceTexas Republicans continue to up their game when it comes to hating on transgender Texans - a new bill will, in effect, erase them when it comes to state documents: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/10/texas-house-trans-bills-advance/That bill outlawing the distribution of abortion drugs in Texas includes unprecedented legal language that would protect itself from being challenged in state courts: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/12/texas-abortion-pill-bill-state-court/House Republicans' solution to threats of violence against election workers in Texas? Add more guns to the mix: https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2025/05/09/texas-house-votes-to-allow-election-judges-armed-voting-sites/83501483007/Democrats, once again, in disarry as the SDEC is set to vote on whether to remove Fort Bend County's party chair over allegations of irregular spending - as he himself investigates similar allegations against the prior chair: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/fort-bend/2025/05/09/520985/texas-democrats-to-consider-removal-of-fort-bend-county-party-chair-precinct-chairs-say/We look forward to celebrating our 15th anniversary this summer! Join us for a celebratory gathering in Dallas on Monday June 9: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/2025anniversaryThe merch to match your progressive values awaits at our web store! Goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/.We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at https://bsky.app/profile/progresstexas.bsky.social.Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
The Power Hour is a weekly podcast that discusses the most interesting energy and environmental policy issues of the day with top national experts. Jack is joined this week by Glen Lyons, one of the nation's leading and most innovative thinkers on electricity markets. Glen has worked in the gas and oil industry and served as a member of ERCOT, the body that regulates Texas' electricity grid and is now the founder and Chief Advocate for Advocates for Consumer Regulated Electricity. This conversation is not only interesting but very timely and important as states around the nation are trying to figure out how to ensure that we are producing enough power to ensure that families and businesses have enough power to meet ever growing demand. Unlike the usual proposals to regulate and subsidize more, Glen has developed an approach that puts energy users in charge. And don't forget to check out Jack's book, Nuclear Revolution and for an outstanding overview of how nuclear energy works, check out our documentary Powering America. Join the conversation at thepowerhour@heritage.org! Thank you for listening and please don't forget to subscribe and help us to spread the word.
The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: A nail-spittingly angry Texas Railroad Commissioner, Wayne Christian, tells how big oil has switched sides at the 11th our of the legislative session and joined with the enviro-left to undermine a major bill to firm up the Texas ERCOT electric grid. Click here to see Commissioner Christian's full email and op-ed on the issue.Commissioner Christian also points out how AEP has choked off a rebirth of Texas coal power made possible by the Trump Administration.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Oil and gas drilling rig count down; Texas sales tax collections up.We've seen this movie before – every two years!: Far too many Texas Republican priority bills are being held up in the Texas House. Members are rightly concerned and many fingers are accurately pointing at Rep. Ken King. But remember, the Speaker can fix all of this in a brief moment. House leadership is blocking a vote on banning Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying, says Rep. Money. Again, the Speaker can fix this in a heartbeat if he desires.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com
Nick Martocci, founder of Tower Training Academy, discusses their nationally recognized apprenticeship programs for wind turbine technicians and battery energy storage specialists. The company focuses on creating partnerships and initiatives that support career development and veterans' transition into the renewable energy sector. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard's StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes' YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! Allen Hall: As renewable energy technology gets more complex and specialized every day, the industry needs skilled professionals ready to climb those towers and maintain critical systems. This week we speak with Nick Martocci founder of Tower Training Academy in Las Vegas. Tower Training Academy offers nationally recognized apprenticeship programs for both wind turbine technicians and battery energy storage specialists, helping everyone from recent high school graduates to career changers develop essential skills and certifications, while providing lifelong career support. Welcome to Uptime Spotlight, shining Light on Wind Energy's brightest innovators. This is the Progress Powering tomorrow. So we were just talking, it's been a year since we've spoken to you and I follow your Tower Training Academy YouTube page, LinkedIn page. I think you're on Instagram also. Nick Martocci: Yep. Instagram. We got [00:01:00] Facebook. A lot of social media. Uh, a lot has happened in the last time since we've chatted. Uh, been able to send a few more apprentices through the wind turbine program. Uh, I've been able to help out a lot of veterans. We had one veteran actually come through my program, uh, work with us vets to help veterans, uh, transition, uh, into the renewable sector, if you will, and help them out also with transferring them out of a bad situation. Uh, the veteran, he just. Fell onto some harm times and, uh, no, no lie before he was with my program, was actually living in his car and so he got with us vets and uh, was able to get a little assistance from them. Also got with Salvation Army, got some assistance from them and the US vets actually pointed him towards my program. We were able to get him a sponsorship and to this day it's changed his life and he's still, even right now out in the field. Doing torque contention work. [00:02:00] That's awesome. Allen Hall: That's a great story. And I, on your LinkedIn page, I've noticed a couple of ribbing ribbon cutting ceremonies with local dignitaries. Nick Martocci: Yeah, we had a congresswoman Susie Lee, her office was very, very helpful with getting, uh, some other help that we needed. Uh, moved along with, uh, a few other pieces, but she was out there to help us, uh, announce that we actually did become a, the first. Approved apprenticeship for the Department of Labor that's active for our battery energy storage apprenticeship program. And so now we have both programs since last year. Uh, that was something that we had to kind of keep hidden behind the green curtain, if you will. And so I was working on that and now that's already up and running. Uh, we had one apprenticeship approved before us a few years ago and they haven't sent anybody through it and. At the end of this month. Right now we're in March, so at the end of this month [00:03:00] we'll have 10 coming through my program already. Joel Saxum: I think that's super important for the industry right now where that, that the renewables industry, because battery storage growing. Right? I, I mean, I live in Austin, right? So it's just batteries after batteries going into the Ercot market and there's a lack of people, lack of technicians,
In this episode of the Energy News Beat Daily Standup - Weekly Recap, the hosts, Stuart Turley and Michael Tanner highlights a wild shakeup across global energy markets: BP faces activist pressure and potential mega-merger talks after slashing renewables; $8 billion in U.S. clean energy projects collapsed, raising questions about electricity costs; Trump moves to dismantle the EPA's endangerment finding to protect fossil fuels; tariffs reshape MENA oilfield services and boost U.S. supply chains; a possible nuclear deal with Iran could flood the market with oil; and Texas grapples with ERCOT's grid reliability failures after $130 billion in unsustainable renewable investments.Highlights of the Podcast 00:00 - Intro 01:23 - Clean Energy Projects in the United States have been lost in the wind to the tune of $8 Billion – But how much cheaper will be our electricity?06:38 - Energy Oil giant BP is seen as a prime takeover target. Is a blockbuster mega-merger in the cards?11:05 - Trump Targets EPA Endangerment Finding After Supreme Court Rulings13:25 - Trump Tariffs Reshape MENA Oilfield Services16:44 - How would a Nuclear Deal with Iran impact the global oil markets?19:28 - How will ERCOT and Texas learn from the past on the grid?22:53 - OutroPlease see the links below or articles that we discuss in the podcast.Clean Energy Projects in the United States have been lost in the wind to the tune of $8 Billion – But how much cheaper will be our electricity?Energy Oil giant BP is seen as a prime takeover target. Is a blockbuster mega-merger in the cards?Trump Targets EPA Endangerment Finding After Supreme Court RulingsTrump Tariffs Reshape MENA Oilfield ServicesHow would a Nuclear Deal with Iran impact the global oil markets?How will ERCOT and Texas learn from the past on the grid?Follow Stuart On LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Michael On LinkedIn and TwitterENB Top NewsEnergy DashboardENB PodcastENB SubstackENB Trading DeskOil & Gas Investing– Get in Contact With The Show –
In this episode of the Energy News Beat Daily Standup, the host, Stuart Turley discusses several significant topics: Texas' grid issues and the uncertain future of SB 715, which could eliminate controversial subsidies for renewables; California's new bill to permanently ban offshore oil and gas drilling, raising concerns about the state's energy security; Woodside's assessment of tariff impacts on Louisiana LNG projects; and the U.S. targeting an Iranian LPG magnate involved in evading sanctions. These stories highlight key energy policy debates and their global implications, from grid stability to international trade dynamics.Highlights of the Podcast 00:00 - Intro01:43 - How will ERCOT and Texas learn from the past on the grid?05:13 - Bill looking to permanently ban oil and gas activities off California07:50 - Woodside assessing tariff impact on Louisiana LNG09:22 - US targets Iranian LPG magnate12:37 - OutroPlease see the links below or articles that we discuss in the podcast.How will ERCOT and Texas learn from the past on the grid?Bill looking to permanently ban oil and gas activities off CaliforniaWoodside assessing tariff impact on Louisiana LNGUS targets Iranian LPG magnateFollow Stuart On LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Michael On LinkedIn and TwitterENB Top NewsEnergy DashboardENB PodcastENB SubstackENB Trading DeskOil & Gas Investing– Get in Contact With The Show –
As the energy transition accelerates, batteries are no longer just utility-scale infrastructure - they're moving into homes, neighbourhoods, and communities. Residential storage is emerging as a powerful tool for improving grid reliability, reducing electricity costs, and giving consumers more control over their energy use. This shift is being driven by falling technology costs, growing demand for backup power, and the need for faster, more flexible ways to support an increasingly electrified grid.While most attention in the battery world focuses on utility-scale systems, Base Power is scaling something different: a distributed, behind-the-meter fleet of residential batteries installed across Texas homes.Zach walks us through the business model, the reasons residential deployment is faster and more scalable than many assume, and how Base's vertically integrated strategy is unlocking both customer trust and capital efficiency. From billing and software to partnerships with utilities, the conversation unpacks what it takes to bring batteries to the grid at speed and at scale.In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Zach Dell, CEO and founder of Base Power, a fast-growing startup redefining how residential batteries are deployed and monetised in the U.S.Over the course of the conversation, you'll hear about:The story of Base Power and why it is focusing on distributed, behind the meter residential deployment.How Base participates in ERCOT markets and plans for ancillary services.Zach's take on cost curves, solar + storage vs nuclear, and the future of distributed energy.The role of vertical integration in reducing cost and increasing speed at every step of the process.Why more granular price signals in Texas could supercharge DER investmentAbout our guestBase Power is a Texas-based energy company pioneering a new model of home energy service by combining residential battery storage with retail electricity provision. Founded in 2023, the company aims to enhance grid reliability and affordability through a network of distributed, software-connected batteries across Texas homes. For more information on Base Power, head to their website.Zach Dell is the founder and CEO of Base Power. A Texas native with a background in finance, Zach started Base after working in New York and seeing the opportunity to accelerate battery deployment through a distributed, vertically integrated model.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.
As the energy transition accelerates, batteries are no longer just utility-scale infrastructure - they're moving into homes, neighbourhoods, and communities. Residential storage is emerging as a powerful tool for improving grid reliability, reducing electricity costs, and giving consumers more control over their energy use. This shift is being driven by falling technology costs, growing demand for backup power, and the need for faster, more flexible ways to support an increasingly electrified grid.While most attention in the battery world focuses on utility-scale systems, Base Power is scaling something different: a distributed, behind-the-meter fleet of residential batteries installed across Texas homes.Zach walks us through the business model, the reasons residential deployment is faster and more scalable than many assume, and how Base's vertically integrated strategy is unlocking both customer trust and capital efficiency. From billing and software to partnerships with utilities, the conversation unpacks what it takes to bring batteries to the grid at speed and at scale.In this episode of Transmission, Quentin is joined by Zach Dell, CEO and founder of Base Power, a fast-growing startup redefining how residential batteries are deployed and monetised in the U.S.Over the course of the conversation, you'll hear about:The story of Base Power and why it is focusing on distributed, behind the meter residential deployment.How Base participates in ERCOT markets and plans for ancillary services.Zach's take on cost curves, solar + storage vs nuclear, and the future of distributed energy.The role of vertical integration in reducing cost and increasing speed at every step of the process.Why more granular price signals in Texas could supercharge DER investmentAbout our guestBase Power is a Texas-based energy company pioneering a new model of home energy service by combining residential battery storage with retail electricity provision. Founded in 2023, the company aims to enhance grid reliability and affordability through a network of distributed, software-connected batteries across Texas homes. For more information on Base Power, head to their website.Zach Dell is the founder and CEO of Base Power. A Texas native with a background in finance, Zach started Base after working in New York and seeing the opportunity to accelerate battery deployment through a distributed, vertically integrated model.About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work.
Businesses and industry leaders are worried tariffs will become a major headwind for the Texas economy, according to Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas data. In other news, Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday launched a Senate campaign against Republican incumbent John Cornyn, setting up a potentially bruising 2026 primary that could change the face of the Texas GOP; Texas power grid operator ERCOT is projecting an explosion in energy demand over the next five years, with peak electricity use more than doubling as new data centers come online around the state; and it was a historic collapse for the Dallas Stars last night at the American Airlines Center with Vancouver scoring 3 goals in the final minute to tie the game and send it to OT. The Canucks won it with a goal in overtime to win 6-5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Net-demand energy forecasts are critical for competitive market participants, such as in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and similar markets, for several key reasons. For example, accurate forecasting helps predict when supply-demand imbalances will create price spikes or crashes, allowing traders and generators to optimize their bidding strategies. It's also important for asset optimization. Power generators need to know when to commit resources to the market and at what price levels. Poor forecasting can lead to missed profit opportunities or operating assets when prices don't cover costs. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) is now capable of producing highly accurate forecasts from the growing amount of meter and weather data that is available. The complex and robust calculations performed by these machine-learning algorithms is well beyond what human analysts are capable of, making advance forecasting systems essential to utilities. Plus, they are increasingly valuable to independent power producers (IPPs) and other energy traders making decisions about their positions in the wholesale markets. Sean Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Amperon, a company that provides AI-powered forecasting solutions, said using an Excel spreadsheet as a forecasting tool was fine back in 2005 when he got started in the business as a power trader, but that type of system no longer works adequately today. “Now, we're literally running at Amperon four to six models behind the scenes, with five different weather vendors that are running an ensemble each time,” Kelly said as a guest on The POWER Podcast. “So, as it gets more confusing, we've got to stay on top of that, and that's where machine learning really kicks in.” The consequences of being ill-prepared can be dire. Having early and accurate forecasts can mean the difference between a business surviving or failing. Effects from Winter Storm Uri offer a case in point. Normally, ERCOT wholesale prices fluctuate from about $20/MWh to $50/MWh. During Winter Storm Uri (Feb. 13–17, 2021), ERCOT set the wholesale electricity price at its cap of $9,000/MWh due to extreme demand and widespread generation failures caused by the storm. This price remained in effect for approximately 4.5 days (108 hours). This 180-fold price increase had devastating financial impacts across the Texas electricity market. The financial fallout was severe. Several retail electricity providers went bankrupt, most notably Griddy Energy, which passed the wholesale prices directly to customers, resulting in some receiving bills of more than $10,000 for just a few days of power. “Our clients were very appreciative of the work we had at Amperon,” Kelly recalled. “We probably had a dozen or so clients at that time, and we told them on February 2 that this was coming,” he said. With that early warning, Kelly said Amperon's clients were able to get out in front of the price swing and buy power at much lower rates. “Our forecasts go out 15 days, ERCOT's forecasts only go out seven,” Kelly explained. “So, we told everyone, ‘Alert! Alert! This is coming!' Dr. Mark Shipham, our in-house meteorologist, was screaming it from the rooftops. So, we had a lot of clients who bought $60 power per megawatt. So, think about buying 60s, and then your opportunity is 9,000. So, a lot of traders made money,” he said. “All LSEs—load serving entities—still got hit extremely bad, but they got hit a lot less bad,” Kelly continued. “I remember one client saying: ‘I bought power at 60, then I bought it at 90, then I bought it at 130, then I bought it at 250, because you kept telling me that load was going up and that this was getting bad.' And they're like, ‘That is the best expensive power I've ever bought. I was able to keep my company as a retail energy provider.' And, so, those are just some of the ways that these forecasts are extremely helpful.”
ERCOT expects peak demand to hit 150 GW by 2030. Here's what Texas needs to do to manage that load.You're listening to The Mining Pod. Subscribe to the newsletter, trusted by over 8,000 Bitcoiners: https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.comWant to mine Bitcoin? Check out the Blockspace Media store today!Welcome back to The Mining Pod! Today, Haley Thomson, director of energy trading at Luxor Technologies, joins us to dive deep into ERCOT's unique energy market and how Texas plans to manage the incoming wave of AI and HPC data center demand. We explore battery storage solutions, creative power generation approaches, and why Texas has become the epicenter of both crypto mining and AI computing infrastructure.Notes:• ERCOT expects 150GW peak demand by 2030• ERCOT current peak load is 84GW (2024)• 6GW of data center demand expected next year• 24GW solar deployment planned 2024-2025• 13GW storage deployment planned 2024-2025• $40B worth of nat gas plants proposedTimestamps:00:00 Start02:02 ERCOT's surging power demand05:37 2023 power price spikes10:42 ERCOT energy storage plans17:58 Does storage help AI data center demand?24:02 Baseload buildout trailing demand30:01 PGM vs energy only36:33 Creative energy work arounds39:16 Does off grid power scale?40:19 Types of AI power demand45:35 Hyperscalers buying mining sites48:40 Wrap up
You're listening to The Mining Pod. Subscribe to the newsletter, trusted by over 8,000 Bitcoiners: https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com Want to mine Bitcoin? Check out the Blockspace Media store today! Welcome back to The Mining Pod! Today, Haley Thomson, director of energy trading at Luxor Technologies, joins us to dive deep into ERCOT's unique energy market and how Texas plans to manage the incoming wave of AI and HPC data center demand. We explore battery storage solutions, creative power generation approaches, and why Texas has become the epicenter of both crypto mining and AI computing infrastructure. Notes: • ERCOT expects 150GW peak demand by 2030 • ERCOT current peak load is 84GW (2024) • 6GW of data center demand expected next year • 24GW solar deployment planned 2024-2025 • 13GW storage deployment planned 2024-2025 • $40B worth of nat gas plants proposed Timestamps: 00:00 Start 02:02 ERCOT's surging power demand 05:37 2023 power price spikes 10:42 ERCOT energy storage plans 17:58 Does storage help AI data center demand? 24:02 Baseload buildout trailing demand 30:01 PGM vs energy only 36:33 Creative energy work arounds 39:16 Does off grid power scale? 40:19 Types of AI power demand 45:35 Hyperscalers buying mining sites 48:40 Wrap up
Dana In The Morning Highlights 2/20ERCOT says the power grid is holding up in our extreme cold weatherProcess continues for Battleship TX finding its permanent new home in GalvestonTying Shoes, Potty Training.....what are the hardest lessons you had to teach your kids?
Keith Collins knows electricity markets. After a stint consulting for the New York Independent System Operator, he joined FERC in 2004. After that, he spent years working for the California ISO and the Southwest Power Pool. But it wasn't until he joined the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) as vice president of commercial operations last summer that he started making waves. Unlike many electricity markets in the U.S., ERCOT is deregulated, and its grid is isolated from other systems. It drew a great deal of attention — and ire from some Texans — after a major grid failure during Winter Storm Uri back in 2021. But now, all eyes are on ERCOT as it turns to battery storage as a way to help meet surging demand for power. This week on With Great Power, Keith explains what makes ERCOT's approach to electricity different from other markets and how the incredible growth of solar generation and battery energy storage systems have changed the Texas grid. They also cover the role of ancillary services and look ahead to how ERCOT's energy mix will continue to evolve.With Great Power is a co-production of GridX and Latitude Studios. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you get podcasts. For more reporting on the companies featured in this podcast, subscribe to Latitude Media's newsletter.Credits: Hosted by Brad Langley. Produced by Erin Hardick and Mary Catherine O'Connor. Edited by Anne Bailey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor. Sean Marquand composed the original theme song and mixed the show. The Grid X production team includes Jenni Barber, Samantha McCabe, and Brad Langley.
Due to the weather forecast for the remainder of the week, ERCOT, the electrical grid operator for most of Texas, issued a weather watch for Wednesday through Friday ahead of what may be the coldest temperatures of the year. In other news, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is cutting 15% of its corporate staff, the company announced Monday. The layoffs amount to about 1,750 people; Southwest employs a total of more than 72,000 full-time or full-time equivalent workers; the jury trial for a civil lawsuit against Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is now scheduled for Aug. 11. Last week, attorneys for both Jones and the plaintiff appeared in front of Dallas County District Court Judge Aiesha Redmond. By the end of the hearing, Redmond ruled the trial — which was scheduled for March 3 — would be delayed; and two of Collin County's largest cities will decide the future of hundreds of millions of dollars for publicly funded projects, including a slate of bond measures that would be the largest in Plano's history. In Frisco, pay for elected officials could rise substantially. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Colby Howell is the owner of Break Free Power, an Ercot electricity brokerage that has been going for 11 years strong. Since building relationships with clients is important, Coby has built solid and genuine relationships with clients and potential clients throughout the years. making his their dependable contact for electricity needs. Established out of Dallas, Tx, Colby's most important roles are being a father and a husband above business. With a very different perspective of life compared to other guests that I've had on, you've find this episode intriguing and interesting. Guaranteed. Follow Colby Howell! Instagram Facebook Connect with us! Instagram Website
On this week's episode, Andrew Burnes is joined by OCI Energy President Sabah Bayatli to discuss the firm's ongoing efforts to transition its portfolio away from exclusively solar to a mix of solar and storage.Bayatli also discusses his interest in other technologies like long duration storage and small modular nuclear, OCI's transition to retain some of its projects for long-term ownership, and the transition of the ERCOT storage market from being dominated by merchant projects to contracted assets.New Project Media (NPM) is a leading data, intelligence, and events company providing business development led coverage of the US and European renewable energy markets for the development, finance, M&A, and corporate community.Download our mobile app.
The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: Much review and comment upon the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Wow, he's working fast! A record 1,300 appointees on Day One! Trump began his term with immediate action related to illegal immigration and the border. Here is a good run down.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.Cold weather has Texas, and many other places, in its grip. Here is where you can see the ERCOT electricity grid situation at any moment.Biden set a new low for Rule of Law and constitutional norms, pardons people not even under investigation. I guess he knows or suspects they are guilty of the things many have asserted.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com
Today we had the honor of hosting Chairman Thomas Gleeson of the Public Utility Commission of Texas for an insightful and timely discussion focused on power, the dynamics involved, and the power revolution happening in Texas and globally. Chairman Gleeson was appointed by Governor Abbott to his role in January of 2024. He brings 15-years of experience at the PUCT, where he previously served as Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Finance and Administration, and Fiscal Project Manager. Prior to joining the PUCT, Chairman Gleeson worked as a legislative analyst for the Texas Senate and as a budget analyst for the Legislative Budget Board. He earned a Master of Public Administration from Texas A&M University. The PUCT is responsible for economic regulation of Texas's electric, telecommunication, water and wastewater utilities. We were thrilled to visit with the Chairman. Chairman Gleeson first outlines his objectives upon becoming Chairman, focusing on stabilizing the post-Winter Storm Uri environment, engaging stakeholders, as well as the differences in responsibilities compared to his predecessor, Peter Lake, who managed the immediate crisis after Winter Storm Uri. We discuss the enhanced relationship and collaboration between the PUCT and ERCOT, structural changes to the PUCT to increase the number of commissioners from three to five to improve decision-making and communication during emergencies, improvements in grid performance and reliability during recent cold weather events (including this week's arctic blast!), and the challenge of meeting Texas's rapid energy demand growth with infrastructure investments and a diversified energy mix. We discuss efforts to streamline regulatory processes for businesses that are considering relocating to Texas, balancing market growth with policy goals, the state's focus on energy expansion over transition, and addressing rising demand with all resource types while balancing reliability and costs. We explore collaboration with large companies to build additional generation capacity and support the grid, Texas's regulatory agility, differences between Texas's market and capacity markets in other regions, the need for exemptions or adjustments in federal emission standards during emergency grid situations to support grid reliability, and the economics of building new gas-fired power plants. Chairman Gleeson shares insights on the role of large hyperscalers as contributors to infrastructure development rather than just large energy consumers, distributed generation models and how co-locating with grid-connected resources and building additional capacity is the “sweet spot” for collaboration between private entities and the grid, the potential for additional nuclear power in Texas, leveraging Texas's budget surplus to foster energy innovation and reliability through public-private partnerships, the evolving role of ERCOT in integrating distributed energy resources, and much more. We want to thank Commissioner Gleeson for sharing his time and perspectives with us on a busy day. We look forward to staying in touch. Mike Bradley was in Panama for this week's COBT and opened the conversation by relaying that Panamanians seem generally surprised and concerned with Trump's continued rhetoric around control of the Panama Canal. From an overall markets standpoint, he noted that investors are really focused on Trump getting his Cabinet installed quickly, and more importantly, what Trump's flurry of Executive Orders means for policy and markets. From a crude oil market standpoint, WTI was down ~$1.50/bbl this week due to Executive Orders to unleash American Energy (lower energy prices?) but mostly due to a rally in the U.S. dollar which is impacting multiple commodities. On the broader equity market front, the DJIA was up 400-500 points as investors seem temporarily relieved that aggressive tariff policies weren't enacted in Trump's initial Executive
Plus, residents of a North Dallas apartment complex say management is shutting off their water to prevent pipes from bursting, and ERCOT says there is enough power despite the cold temperatures on Tuesday.
That innate sense of independence that every Texan comes out of the womb with has also made its way into the energy sector. With an isolated grid managed by ERCOT, Texas has found itself in an energy pickle of its own. Join the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/PeterZeihanFull Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/is-federal-regulation-coming-to-the-texas-power-grid
On this Salcedo Storm Podcast:Pablo Vegas joined ERCOT in October 2022 as President and CEO. He has a long history of service in both the electric and gas industries. Before his career in the regulated utility industry, Mr. Vegas served in senior leadership positions with IBM, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Andersen Consulting.
Energy grids, markets and regulatory landscapes are evolving fast. The strategies used by BESS operators must be dynamic, as operators face a maze of regional markets, shifting policies, and cutting-edge technologies. In this episode Ali Karimian, Market Optimization Director at GridBeyond joins Quentin to explore the challenges and opportunities in markets like ERCOT, California, PJM, shedding light on critical developments such as PJM's recent capacity market overhaul and the surge in demand response programs across the country. Ali also shares insight into the role of cryptocurrency miners in energy markets, and where these unconventional players are proving vital for grid stability and unlocking new revenue streams.Over the course of the conversation, Quentin and Ali discuss:The differences between some of the most prominent markets for BESS in the United States, including ERCOT, CAISO and PJM.The current landscape shaping market attractiveness for battery operations.Policy & regulatory changes affecting ISO's including changes to ERCOT's ancillary services framework, PJM capacity market dynamics and continual updates for CAISO.The rise of crypto miners in energy markets and what characteristics make them suitable for supporting grid stability.Strategies enabling crypto miners to lower effective power costs.About our guestGridBeyond aim to unlock the potential of energy assets, driving sustainability, resilience, and affordability towards a zero-carbon future. Their technology optimizes utility-scale renewable generation, battery storage, and industrial loads by intelligently dispatching flexibility into the right market at the right time. Enabling asset owners and energy consumers to unlock new revenues, enhance resilience, manage price volatility, and support the transition to net zero. For more information on GridBeyond - head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place. Built for analysts, Modo helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work.
Energy grids, markets and regulatory landscapes are evolving fast. The strategies used by BESS operators must be dynamic, as operators face a maze of regional markets, shifting policies, and cutting-edge technologies. In this episode Ali Karimian, Market Optimization Director at GridBeyond joins Quentin to explore the challenges and opportunities in markets like ERCOT, California, PJM, shedding light on critical developments such as PJM's recent capacity market overhaul and the surge in demand response programs across the country. Ali also shares insight into the role of cryptocurrency miners in energy markets, and where these unconventional players are proving vital for grid stability and unlocking new revenue streams.Over the course of the conversation, Quentin and Ali discuss:The differences between some of the most prominent markets for BESS in the United States, including ERCOT, CAISO and PJM.The current landscape shaping market attractiveness for battery operations.Policy & regulatory changes affecting ISO's including changes to ERCOT's ancillary services framework, PJM capacity market dynamics and continual updates for CAISO.The rise of crypto miners in energy markets and what characteristics make them suitable for supporting grid stability.Strategies enabling crypto miners to lower effective power costs.About our guestGridBeyond aim to unlock the potential of energy assets, driving sustainability, resilience, and affordability towards a zero-carbon future. Their technology optimizes utility-scale renewable generation, battery storage, and industrial loads by intelligently dispatching flexibility into the right market at the right time. Enabling asset owners and energy consumers to unlock new revenues, enhance resilience, manage price volatility, and support the transition to net zero. For more information on GridBeyond - head to their website.About Modo EnergyModo Energy provides forecasts, benchmarking, data, and insights for new energy assets - all in one place. Built for analysts, Modo helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our video series of bite-sized chunks explaining how different battery energy storage systems work.
It will be mostly sunny but chilly today with a high of 42. Clouds will move in this evening with a low of 30 expected. Of course the focus is really on tomorrow's weather with a wintry mix of snow and sleet forecast for North Texas and temperatures hovering around the freezing mark all day. Dallas officials urged residents to stay off city streets once wintry weather hits North Texas as soon as late Wednesday and focus on protecting their pipes, pets, plants and people. Officials overseeing roads, public safety, homelessness response and other city infrastructure say preparations for snow and ice began Sunday amid frigid temperatures and are expected to ramp up starting Wednesday. ERCOT, the electrical grid operator for most of Texas, has issued a weather watch scheduled to last through Friday “due to forecasted cold weather across the ERCOT region, higher electrical demand, and the potential for lower reserves.” In other news, the U.S. Department of Justice has expanded its lawsuit over price fixing in the rental housing market, accusing a Dallas-based apartment management firm and five of the nation's largest landlords of participating in algorithmic pricing schemes that drove up rents. And Jay Hartzell didn't set out to leave the University of Texas' flagship campus for a smaller private college in Dallas. But after SMU board members began aggressively recruiting him for their soon-to-be-vacant president job, Hartzell listened. He will take over at SMU in June, capping the 30-year tenure of R. Gerald Turner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Energy-infrastructure developers are on the front lines of realizing the electricity growth need to power the AI revolution. In this episode of Bloomberg Intelligence’s ESG Currents podcast, Andrew John Stevenson, senior climate analyst, sits down with Dan Lee, Managing Partner at Simcore Partners. From the backup in grid availability in PJM plants to the opportunities to boost assets in Texas grid operator ERCOT, this episode delves deep into the process to get electrons on the grid in a timely, low-cost fashion. This episode was recorded on Dec. 11, 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Plus, the Dallas Cowboys season ended Sunday with a loss to Washington, and the suspect in the New Orleans terror attack had a rifle with him that he purchased in Arlington, the ATF says.
In this episode of the Energy News Beat Daily Standup, the host, Stuart Turley recaps key energy stories in the final podcast of 2024. Highlights include European gas price spikes amid strained industrial competitiveness, Ukraine quadrupling gas transmission fees post-Russia deal, U.S. natural gas futures soaring due to an impending Arctic blast, and Texas coal plants transitioning to solar and storage by 2027 under the Inflation Reduction Act. He critiques energy policies, predicts challenges for ERCOT's grid reliability, and expresses gratitude to listeners while wishing everyone a prosperous New Year.Highlights of the Podcast00:00 - Intro01:14 - High Gas Prices Spell Tough Start to 2025 for European Consumers03:09 - Ukraine To Quadruple Gas Transport Fees After Russia Deal Expires04:20 - U.S. Natural Gas Futures Soar Ahead of Historic Cold Front05:02 - Texas coal plant to switch to solar + storage by 202706:58 - OutroPlease see the links below or articles that we discuss in the podcast.High Gas Prices Spell Tough Start to 2025 for European ConsumersUkraine To Quadruple Gas Transport Fees After Russia Deal ExpiresU.S. Natural Gas Futures Soar Ahead of Historic Cold FrontTexas coal plant to switch to solar + storage by 2027 Follow Stuart On LinkedIn and TwitterFollow Michael On LinkedIn and TwitterENB Top NewsEnergy DashboardENB PodcastENB SubstackENB Trading DeskOil & Gas Investing In 2024– Get in Contact With The Show –
In this episode of the Oil Ground Up podcast, Joe DeLaura, a global energy strategist at Rabobank, shares insights into his career in the oil industry and discusses the current dynamics of the oil market. He highlights the static nature of oil prices, the long-term trends in oil consumption, and the impact of geopolitical factors on market stability. Joe also delves into the refinery dynamics, the natural gas market, and the future of LNG, emphasizing the importance of understanding these trends for strategic decision-making in energy investments. In this conversation, Joe DeLaura and Tony Greer discuss various aspects of the energy market, focusing on hedging strategies, the importance of power markets, and the role of nuclear energy in the transition to renewable sources. They explore the challenges faced by ERCOT and the implications of policy changes on electric vehicles and diesel demand. The discussion emphasizes the need for a diversified energy portfolio and the importance of upgrading infrastructure to meet future energy demands.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: The struggle within the Texas Republican Party has become a contest of "Trumpier than thou": https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5030621-texas-house-speaker-race-republican-divisions/ The 2025 Legislature is certain to face a renewed push for book-banning by pearl-clutching Republicans: https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/editorial/article/texas-book-review-bill-19969058.php Dallas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett puts on yet another masterclass in destroying MAGA narratives, this time taking on the gerrymandering that allowed the GOP to exploit the mostly non-white population explosion in Texas: https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/reidout-blog/jasmine-crockett-census-2030-redistricting-rcna183247 Given their sky-high prediction of an 80% chance of blackouts this winter should we experience another Uri-style event, ERCOT and Texas Republicans have presided over a massive degradation in our state's energy reliability: https://www.forbes.com/sites/edhirs/2024/12/09/after-four-years-and-billions-of-dollars-the-texas-grid-is-not-fixed/ Great to see everyone at our first holiday gathering in Austin! The second is in Dallas on December 16 - there are sponsorship opportunities available, and individual tickets are now on sale here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2024 Holiday shopping for your progressive pals is easy and fun at our web store! Grab your goodies at https://store.progresstexas.org/. We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at @progresstexas.bsky.social. Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work this election year at https://progresstexas.org.
Naturgy has secured $2.3 billion in financing to boost its Australian portfolio, MARA Holdings will acquire a wind farm in Texas, and TotalEnergies which will acquire VSB Group for €2 billion. Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly email update on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard's StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary Barnes' YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us! Pardalote Consulting - https://www.pardaloteconsulting.comWeather Guard Lightning Tech - www.weatherguardwind.comIntelstor - https://www.intelstor.comJoin us at The Wind Energy O&M Australia Conference - https://www.windaustralia.com Welcome to Uptime News Flash. Industry news, lightning fast. Your hosts, Allen Hall, Joel Saxum, and Phil Totaro, discuss the latest deals, mergers, and alliances that will shape the future of wind power. News Flash is brought to you by Intel Store. For market intelligence that generates revenue, visit www.intelstor.com. Allen Hall: Big news this week, Naturgy has secured 2. 3 billion Australian dollars in financing to boost its Australian renewable portfolio. The financing operation has been formalized with 11 international banks. Global Power Generation, which is a subsidiary of Naturgy. Closes 2024 with a portfolio of one gigawatts of projects in operation. Now, Phil, a lot of things are happening on Australia on their noble energy front, and particularly in wind at the moment. Philip Totaro: This is another one. Well, and this is an important one for GPG because they're trying to build three projects right now two wind farms, the Ryan Corner and the Crookwell Three projects, and then also a, a hybrid project called the Cunderdin. Hybrid plant that's gonna include some solar PV so they're immediately going to be deploying this 2. 3 billion Australian dollars and, and put it to good use, building a significant amount of, of new capacity. So, good on them. Allen Hall: For you Bitcoin lovers, Marathon Digital Holdings will acquire a wind farm in Hansford County, Texas with 240 megawatts of interconnection capacity. Now the site includes 114 megawatts of operational wind currently and Marathon Digital Holdings will develop a behind the meter data center power Buy wind energy. And this allows them to do Bitcoin mining, Phil. Philip Totaro: Yeah, this is actually the first of its kind in terms of this type of a deal structure where a, a Bitcoin miner specifically, I mean, there's other companies like Amazon that have bought into wind farms or, or co developed and built wind farms. And agreed to take the power and feed it into their, their data centers but this is the first time, as you just mentioned, that they're going to do a behind the meter data center where they can avoid So yeah. And agreed. Agreed. A lot of the issues you get in, in ERCOT and in Texas in general, where you've got, periods of negative pricing or what have you, where you've got to dump a lot of power. They're at least taking the power that they would otherwise dump and putting it into their, their Bitcoin mining operations, which, is, is increasingly power intensive. I, I remember setting up a small Bitcoin mining operation on my laptop about ten years ago. I ended up getting about 80 bucks. So that's, that's the best I could do. These guys are going to be doing, a lot more with a lot more power. Joel Saxum: But I think you'll see a lot more of this happening in specifically, like Phil said, in the Texas, in the ERCOT market down here, because it's a triage market. When you look at it, you can see negative prices, positive price. You have a bad winter storm or some things come offline. All of a sudden power is 3, hour in a wholesale market. Like you see a lot of changes.
In this guest filled episode of the Treehouse: we talk with Steve Noviello about his Holiday Gift Guide and pitch a few items of our own, Ahmed Bharoocha talks about life as an actor, comedian, and dad, a young that takes avoiding the dentist a bit too far, and good 'ol ERCOT gives us a shocking prediction about this Winter's weather. Plus: What would you do with an extra thumb?LINKS:Steve Noviello's Holiday Gift Guide | FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth12-year-old fakes his own kidnapping to avoid dentist appointmentRobotic 'Third Thumb' helps perform challenging tasks single-handedly | AP NewsERCOT's winter outlook: Riskier grid with chance of extreme cold – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort WorthAhmed Bharoocha's Link's:Stand Up Comedy Classes in LA | Ahmed Bharoocha's Comedy SchoolInstagramThe Treehouse is a daily DFW based comedy podcast and radio show. Leave your worries outside and join Dan O'Malley, Trey Trenholm, Raj Sharma, and their guests for laughs about current events, stupid news, and the comedy that is their lives. If it's stupid, it's in here.The Treehouse WebsiteFairLease | Lease a Car Online | Best Truck Lease Deals $0 downCook DFW Roofing & Restoration | Dallas, Fort Worth TX | Roofing Company Local Garland, TX Plumber | Brooks Plumbing, LTD. | Plumbing Installation & Repairs (brooksplumbingtexas.comCLICK HERE TO DONATE:The RMS Treehouse Listeners Foundation
The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: The now common move by companies to block your right to tinker with or repair your own private property is a growing and costly concern. What will the Texas Legislature doe about such this next session? We talk about the Right to Repair issue with David Dunmoyer of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. See the TPPF report on the issue here.Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.TEA now probing over 100 teachers linked to certification cheating ring.ERCOT says Texas is better prepared for extreme cold this winter with more electrical generation on the grid.Good news: Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister bows out of nomination for DEA administrator. Read more here.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com
The lead meteorologist for the Texas power grid said Tuesday there is an elevated chance for extreme winter weather similar to the storm that pushed the power grid to the brink of collapse in 2021. In other news, the Vatican says it no longer recognizes an Arlington monastery at the center of a bitter monthslong feud with the Fort Worth bishop over allegations the head nun violated her vow of chastity with a priest. In a statement published Monday on the Fort Worth diocese website, the Vatican called the monastery “extinct” and asked followers to pray for the women to repent. a discussion on how to boost city revenue generated from rowing clubs on White Rock Lake and Bachman Lake put a spotlight, once again, on a unique turf war between the Park Board and the City Council. On Monday, council members told park officials to reassess the city's contracts with the rowing and sailing clubs, come up with ways to raise more dollars and tamp down budgetary pressure. And weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy are increasingly popular among adults, who have flocked to the new medication as an alternative to the traditional — and often ineffective — advice to “eat less and exercise more.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas: Both the Texas House Democratic Caucus and their Republican counterparts meet late this week to discuss who the 2025 Speaker will be - the Democrats hold the key, as neither Republican candidate has a clear majority: https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/texas-house-speaker-race-19953807.php Expect the continued and escalating assault on the rights of transgender Texans to be the central social issue of the session for Republicans, emboldened by the Trump win: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/12/04/texas-transgender-restrictions-legislative-session/ The Texas Maternal Morbidity Committee's decision to ignore data regarding maternal deaths in the first two years of Texas' abortion ban - alongside a similar move in Georgia - is drawing national attention: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/texas-georgia-women-deaths-abortion-ban-rcna182540 ...The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board is calling on Governor Abbott and the '25 Legislature, if they really believe our abortion laws are sufficient to protect pregnant people, to order a study of those first two years: https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/2024/12/04/texas-needs-a-study-on-how-abortion-ban-has-affected-pregnancy-care/ ERCOT's lead meteorologist says conditions this winter look favorable for a repeat of Winter Storm Uri, but energy experts don't agree with ERCOT's claim that they're ready to keep the heat on: https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/ercot-extreme-cold-event-winter-outlook/269-4fb29d16-01cd-4479-a830-7ee329d2c142 Great to see everyone at our first holiday gathering in Austin! The second is in Dallas on December 16 - there are sponsorship opportunities available, and individual tickets are now on sale here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2024 We're loving the troll-free environment at BlueSky! Follow us there at @progresstexas.bsky.social. Thanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work this election year at https://progresstexas.org.
It's a holiday week but a lot has happened in Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining! We're going through our scoop on Bitmain's issues with the U.S. CBP, how miners are dealing with Trump's possible tariffs (and what they can mean for your business), why and how ERCOT is asking miners to register and lastly a check in on the hosting market with our friends over at Compass Mining! Check out Compass Mining for more information on the hosting market in Bitcoin: @compass_mining Timestamps: 00:00 Start 02:40 Difficulty update 06:44 Customs confiscates Antminers 12:42 Trump tariffs 20:16 Compass: Hosting market 32:02 New Texas reporting rules 39:37 Cry corner: ETH heads are shook Published twice weekly, "The Mining Pod" interviews the best builders and operators in the Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining landscape. Subscribe to get notifications when we publish interviews on Tuesday and a news show on Friday!
Miners are having a hard time getting units across U.S. borders, according to our investigation.It's a holiday week but a lot has happened in Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining! We're going through our scoop on Bitmain's issues with the U.S. CBP, how miners are dealing with Trump's possible tariffs (and what they can mean for your business), why and how ERCOT is asking miners to register and lastly a check in on the hosting market with our friends over at Compass Mining! Check out Compass Mining for more information on the hosting market in Bitcoin: @compass_miningTimestamps:00:00 Start02:40 Difficulty update06:44 Customs confiscates Antminers12:42 Trump tariffs20:16 Compass: Hosting market32:02 New Texas reporting rules39:37 Cry corner: ETH heads are shookPublished twice weekly, "The Mining Pod" interviews the best builders and operators in the Bitcoin and Bitcoin mining landscape. Subscribe to get notifications when we publish interviews on Tuesday and a news show on Friday!
Today we had the honor of hosting Pablo Vegas, President and CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Pablo was appointed as CEO by Governor Abbott in October 2022, after previously serving as Executive Vice President of NiSource and Group President of NiSource Utilities. His previous management roles included senior positions with both American Electric Power and IBM. Pablo also serves on the Global Advisory Board for the Harvard Business School and is a member of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Working Group. ERCOT manages the flow of electricity to over 27 million Texas customers and oversees one of the most unique power grids in the US. We were thrilled to hear Pablo's unique insights on the latest power developments in Texas and across the US. In our conversation, we explore ERCOT's collaboration with international and domestic grid operators to share best practices for managing intermittent resources and ensuring resource adequacy, ERCOT's unique operational advantages, and Texas's projected electricity demand growth by 2030, which equates to adding Germany's current electricity demand. We discuss the reliability risks associated with renewable energy integration, insights into the current state of battery storage capacity, and the need for Texas market design changes to better incentivize the building of more dispatchable power plants. Pablo shares details about the Texas Energy Fund's $5 billion allocation aimed at incentivizing up to 10 gigawatts of dispatchable power, economic hurdles for coal plants as well as combined-cycle gas plants under EPA regulations requiring carbon capture by the end of 2031, opportunities for nuclear energy development, and the lack of clear market pricing signals in ERCOT compared to capacity market spikes in PJM and MISO. We touch on how the new administration might approach power policy, how current federal regulations hinder power sector growth despite incentives for broader economic expansion, and more. We ended by asking Pablo for his predictions for what Texas's generation mix might look like in five years and for the future of ERCOT's connectivity with other grids. We covered a great deal of territory and can't thank Pablo enough for his insights into all these critical topics. Mike Bradley kicked off the show by highlighting that markets remain in “digestion” mode as they continue to react to Trump's Cabinet picks. Over the weekend, Trump nominated Scott Bessent for Secretary of Treasury and markets responded favorably (bond yields dropped) on Monday as many investors believe he'll be more balanced on the tariff front. However, Trump surprised markets a day later by vowing that he'll levy additional tariffs on China (10%) and new import tariffs (25%) on all Canadian & Mexican goods. On the crude oil market front, WTI traded sideways/slightly down over the past week (~$69/bbl) due to a potential ceasefire deal in the Middle East. He noted that the December 1st OPEC meeting will now be virtual. OPEC's leadership will likely look to extend current production curtailments for another three months to get them through the seasonally weak Q1 period. On the natural gas front, U.S. natural gas price in recent weeks has spiked from ~$3.00/MMBtu to ~$3.40/MMBtu due to a colder 6-10-day weather outlook. The real gas story is in Europe where natural gas price in recent weeks has spiked to ~$15/MMBtu due to an early spell of cold weather, lower LNG shipments and extremely low wind generation. On the broader equity market front, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq were up just over 1.5% over the last week as they continue to digest Trump Cabinet picks and what policy priorities might be enacted on early in his Presidency. On the energy equity front, the Energy sector was one of the few S&P sectors down last week (~1.5%). He also noted a handful of Energy & Materials sector deals this past week and ended by discussing that the COP29 Conference in Baku c
Happy Veterans Day to all who served and Happy Remembrance Day for our British, Canadian, and Australian friends. Today (and every day), we thank you and your families for your service and sacrifice. With the election behind us and the transition of a new administration on the horizon, we brought together three esteemed friends of the firm and previous COBT guests for a Special Edition of COBT. We wanted to brainstorm with them what happens next in energy policy-making. We were honored to host Anne Bradbury, CEO of the American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC), Bill Flores, Vice Chairman of ERCOT, former Congressman, and Veriten Senior Advisor, and Maria Korsnick, CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). Each of these leaders has been a strong advocate for energy in Washington and brings deep insight into the complexities of energy legislation. Arjun Murti, Brett Rampal and I were thrilled to join and hear their immediate reactions and perspectives on what the incoming administration could mean for the future of energy. In our discussion, we explore the implications of the Trump Administration for energy policy, expecting broadly that the new administration will focus on energy reliability, affordability and infrastructure. We discuss potential changes to the Inflation Reduction Act to make it more technology-agnostic and more supportive of dispatchable energy sources, including nuclear and natural gas. There was a lot of speculation about “leaving the carrots but getting rid of the sticks” and also “the use of a scalpel and not a sledgehammer.” Bill shares insights on critical Congressional dynamics, how to handle any potential obstacles the current administration may put in place before leaving office, and the importance for energy policymakers to work on areas of agreement across the aisle to ensure truly durable energy policies. Anne emphasizes that in terms of environmental regulations, the US oil and gas industry is willing and able to show that they are the cleanest system globally already, and that they are ready to meet heightened regulatory standards, but that these standards need to be resilient and realistic to avoid constant swings with each administration. Maria highlights federal policy that NEI is supporting to incentivize initial first-of-a-kind builds as well as needed policy reforms to strengthen grid capacity and streamline permitting. We go on to cover the potential influence of Elon Musk if he assumes a role in the new administration, the importance of ending the partisan divide in energy policy, the need to prioritize American energy dominance across both traditional and new energy technologies, the value of experienced career staff in DC to ensure effective policy implementation, and much more. Overall, we are feeling optimistic for American energy in the next administration as the change provides an opportunity to keep what's good but change what's not. There were many references in our discussion to “not throw the baby out with the bathwater.” We are immensely grateful to Anne, Bill and Maria for their friendship and for joining us. We hope you find the conversation as interesting and insightful as we did. God bless our veterans, and our best to you all!
DERVOS, 10/25/24, NYCRenewables have been breaking many of the mechanisms in our power markets, irrespective of structure. Across energy only, IRP, and capacity markets, we have been seeing "weirdness" in price action and regulatory responses as solar and wind continue to dominate new installs. It'll be an acronym stew: from PCM and RUC buying in ERCOT, adjusting ELCCs in PJM leading to capacity prices 10x'ing, to NEM 3.0 in CAISO. We want to contend with what this means today and then try to map a path into where it all leads tomorrow. Will these existing structures adapt, or will something new emerge?Speakers: Jacob Mays (Cornell), Brian Bartholomew (REV Renewables), Eric Goff (Goff Policy), Andy Reger (PA Consulting)Moderator: James McGinniss (DER Task Force & David Energy) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dertaskforce.com/subscribe