Transmission The state of storage in ERCOT with Brandt Vermillion (Market Lead @ Modo Energy)
May 2, 2024
Brandt Vermillion, ERCOT Market Lead at Modo Energy, dives into the dynamic landscape of battery energy storage in Texas. He reveals that ERCOT's storage capacity has surged past 4GW and is projected to hit 10GW by the end of 2024. The conversation covers peak demand trends, the impact of renewables, and how batteries are optimizing market participation. Brandt also highlights the differences in volatility between ERCOT and Great Britain, offering insights into strategies employed by major industry players as they navigate this rapidly evolving market.
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Battery Size and Location Trends
- Most batteries in ERCOT have durations around one hour and sizes above 50 MW, growing from smaller earlier projects.
- Some projects exceed 100 MW, and there are clusters near demand centers and renewable zones.
Massive Battery Pipeline in ERCOT
- The ERCOT interconnection queue now holds over 140 GW of battery projects, outpacing solar growth.
- While not all will be built soon, a large portion is likely to come online eventually, mostly by 2030 or later.
Batteries Meet Growing Peak Demand
- Texas peak demand set records above 85 GW with batteries contributing up to 4% of peak demand during scarcity events.
- Battery contribution is growing, helping fill gaps during high-demand and volatile price periods.