COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Texas A&M University System is taking its first steps towards creating a peaker power network.
“Peakers” are power plants that grid operators rely on in time of high electricity demand. They are not meant to run continuously but can be activated quickly when needed to stabilize the grid.
Peaker plants also play a crucial role in integrating renewable energy sources into the grid. Since renewable sources like wind and solar are intermittent, peaker plants can provide backup power when these sources are not generating electricity.
The peakers are set to be built on A&M System-owned property, with financing through the newly-created $5 billion Texas Energy Fund.
The goal is to help prevent blackouts like those seen across Texas during Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
“The advantage to the state is, it produces more power in a time of need,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. “The big advantage to us is, we won’t lose $100 million dollars of research like we did during Winter Storm Uri.”
On Tuesday, The A&M System asked private developers to submit their proposals for the project.
“Bryan-College Station won’t experience those same brown-outs. For each one of our campuses, it’s a big win for the campus and the community,” said Sharp.
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