Reporter Ben Storrow analyzes ERCOT electricity generation data during summer heatwaves.
Assertion Partly supported
Storrow: ISO New England study finds rooftop solar stabilized regional grid
“And the study finds that, no, actually, New England's grid is, at least in the next couple of years, is actually in really good shape. And a big reason that it's in really good shape is that New Englanders have put so much solar on their rooftops that it is ef…”
Opinion
Storrow: New England Lags Most Regions in Utility-Scale Renewable Resources
“In terms of utility scale, renewable resources, I mean, you know, we pretty much are behind everybody.”
Insight
Storrow: Winter Renewables Extend New England Gas Plants' On-Site Oil Reserves
“These gas plants that we keep talking about as a sort of a reliability buffer, they've all installed oil fire backup. They have oil tanks on site. So if the spot price for gas gets really high, or the pipeline got constrained, they can switch over. And start b…”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Storrow: Solar generation mitigated Texas grid crises during summer heatwave
“They have issued some voluntary conservation notices, but it has not been quite as White knuckle driving as it has been in the last couple years, and a big part of that is, is the amount of renewable generation, and particularly solar, that they're having.”
Assertion Supported
Storrow: Subsidies keeping Mystic Generating Station open will end in 2024
“New England consumers basically are paying a subsidy and have been paying a subsidy the last couple years to keep that plan open, but that, those payments are gonna end next year”
Assertion Supported
Storrow: Southwest Power Pool Regularly Sets Records for Renewable Grid Penetration
“SPP, the grid operator, and the Great Plains, like, every year is setting new records for, I don't have the numbers off the top of my head, but, like, just The vast majority of the system is running off of renewables.”