The United States has three main power grids: The Eastern and Western Interconnection, which each service multiple states, and Texas, which gets an independent power grid. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, handles 85 percent of the state’s power needs, producing and distributing electricity to 23 million people.

But, why does Texas need its own grid?

Slate reports that during World War II, Texas was home to many factories required for critical supplies. The electrical planners didn’t want to depend on energy coming in from other states, so they used the abundant natural resources to set up a grid specifically for Texas. Even today, this state requires a massive amount of electricity to keep the industrial sector powered, so it makes sense to have a dedicated grid.

Texas has a strong culture of self-sufficiency, which had an influence on the development of its own energy grid. It does have links to the other interconnections, which get used during particularly high demand periods. Unusually hot summers or long heat waves can sometimes lead to Texas importing energy, so the air conditioners keep going strong.

The utility companies governed by the ERCOT typically do not sell energy outside state lines. This configuration allows Texas to set most of its own rules and regulations, as opposed to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission setting oversight in place. State regulators can make decisions that make the most sense for their residents, rather than making adjustments based on the needs of multiple states.

Texas has the space and natural resources needed to produce inexpensive electricity for residents and businesses. These costs fall below the national average. Renewable energy sources, such as wind-powered electricity, are moving Texas to more environmentally friendly options.

However, inexpensive energy does have a downside. Population growth in Austin is significant, thanks to startups, tech companies and other businesses moving into the area. Google Fiber also plays a role in bringing in more people. The energy grid needs to adapt to the rising amount of individuals who call Texas home, but electricity companies have less of an incentive to build in Texas compared to states with higher energy costs.

Contact Bryant Electric Service to make sure you’re getting the most out of the Texas Power grid and take back your energy today!

It may not seem important today, but summer and warm weather is not that far away. It is time to start thinking about how you are going to beat the heat this summer without trying to run your AC at full throttle. That only leads to more problems that will ultimately lead to you spending a lot of money trying to keep cool. There is an option. Ceiling fans are an excellent way to create a cool breeze in the home. All you need to do is call an electrician in Beverly Hills, like those at The Electric Connection.

A fan in the bedroom is a welcome addition that can help you sleep better at night, especially on a day when the temperatures are warm. The breeze is very light. It keeps the air from becoming stale, which can make the room more comfortable. A ceiling fan installed by a Beverly Hills electrician will ultimately save you money on your electric bill. The fan will pull the hot air out of the room, making space for the cold air that comes out of the vents in the floor. This helps reduce how often your AC has to kick on to keep the room cool.

There are various styles and sizes of ceiling fans to choose from. You will want to make sure you choose a fan that is suitable for the size of the room. A nice addition is a remote control feature installed by an electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners won’t have to worry about pulling on a chain to adjust the fan speed or to turn off the light. This is an excellent feature to have, especially when you are lying in bed at night. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your ceiling fan installation.

The use of solar and wind power is something that is growing by leaps and bounds. However, one of the biggest limitations of its use is not lack of adoption, but lack of storing the electricity produced by the technology. This is important because the sun is not always shining and the wind is not always blowing. Luckily scientists are working on new ways to do just this—which will enable more of us to use this type of power for our homes and businesses. Learn more about the options for storing this type of power and then talk to your Burbank electrician about whether solar or wind power is something that may benefit you.

The storage option that has been considered most by experts is using the generated electricity to pump water into storage. Then, later when power is needed and the wind isn’t blowing or sun not shining, the stored water would flow through a generator to produce energy. The main problem with this option is that it is not efficient. At least 30 or 40% of the generated power is lost.

Another option is mechanics. However, it is still inefficient. The fact that energy storage is so inefficient is the reason that more people and businesses have not turned to these natural forms of energy. Over time, it is possible that more solutions will work out—in the meantime, these clean energy options are used as a supplement to other “traditional” energy forms.

If you think that installing solar panels or utilizing other forms of clean energy is the right solution for your home or business, call The Electric Connection, the electrician in Burbank you trust for all your electrical  installation and repair needs. You can talk to one of our experts about the possibilities for expanding your clean energy use.