ERCOT and Batteries – Solar in Summer, Wind in Spring and Fall

Source: ERCOT

ERCOT’s grid is undergoing one of the fastest transformations in the U.S., driven by two forces: record renewable generation and rapid battery deployment.

Texas now leads the nation in utility-scale solar capacity, with peak output in the long, hot summers when demand soars. In spring and fall, strong wind patterns dominate, often producing overnight surpluses. The challenge? Matching variable supply to variable demand.

That’s where batteries come in. Storage capacity in ERCOT has more than doubled in the past year, near 14 GW of installed and planned projects. Batteries absorb midday solar oversupply and release it during evening peaks. In wind-heavy months, they can store excess nighttime generation for use in the morning ramp.

This seasonal dance is reshaping market dynamics:

• Summer: Solar + batteries mitigate late-day peaks and reduce reliance on gas peakers.

• Spring/Fall: Wind + batteries smooth volatility and help avoid curtailments.

• Winter: Storage can’t replace firm capacity but adds flexibility when cold weather stresses the grid.

  
  

  

  Source: ERCOT

  
  

ERCOT’s evolving generation mix—paired with storage—is making Texas a living laboratory for the future U.S. grid: high renewables, fast-responding flexibility, and market signals that reward both.

🔗 Learn more: ERCOT Storage Dashboard | EIA Hourly Grid Data | Dallas Fed Analysis

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