Congested transmission lines cause renewable power to go to waste in Texas

This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy, and the environment. It is republished with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here. 

As a massive heat dome engulfed much of Texas in 100°-plus weather throughout the second half of June, breaking temperature records throughout South and West Texas, renewable energy output also set new records. Renewable’s contribution to the Texas grid reached an all-time high on June 28, when 41.6 percent of the electricity on the grid was coming from wind and solar power during peak hours.

With demand for electricity also setting a record in late June, the grid operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, has so far held up to the challenge. But summer is only beginning, and Texans are already enduring high electric bills.