WIND BRINGS FREE ELECTRICITY

A Texas Utility Offers a Nighttime Special: Free Electricity

Clifford Krauss and Diane Cardwell, November 8, 2015 (NY Times)

“In Texas, wind farms are generating so much energy that some utilities are giving power away…[Thousands of TXU Energy customers are] at the vanguard of a bold attempt by the utility to change how people consume energy. TXU’s free overnight plan, which is coupled with slightly higher daytime rates, is one of dozens that have been offered by more than 50 retail electricity companies in Texas over the last three years with a simple goal: for customers to turn down the dials when wholesale prices are highest and turn them back up when prices are lowest…It is possible because Texas has more wind power than any other state, accounting for roughly 10 percent of the state’s generation…[and] Texas runs its own electricity grid…Wind blows most strongly at night and the power it produces is inexpensive because of its abundance and federal tax breaks. A shift of power use away from the peak daytime periods means lower wholesale prices, and the possibility of avoiding the costly option of building more power plants…” click here for more

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