Date & Time: 6 PM, 16 January

Location: Virtual only by Zoom

Title: Texas Power: a 2025 Update

Speaker: Jim Woodrick

Biography: Mr. James Woodrick had a 28-year career with DuPont Inc., including positions in technology, operations, business and manufacturing management in Victoria, Alvin, Houston and Orange, Texas, and in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Wilmington, Delaware.  He served eight years as Plant Manager of DuPont’s facilities at Chocolate Bayou (Alvin) and Sabine River Works (Orange).  After retirement from DuPont Jim served for ten years as President of Texas Chemical Council, the trade association representing the state’s chemical industry.

Jim has an interest in science related to climate and energy, especially as it relates to the efforts being made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  He also has a lifelong interest in history, particularly that of Texas and Spanish Colonial Mexico, and has published several books and articles on historical topics.  

James Woodrick attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.          

Jim and his wife Frances reside in Austin.  They have two daughters and two grandchildren.

Abstract: This talk will give an overview of the ERCOT grid which provides about 90% of electrical power to Texas.  The growth of renewable power will be a primary focus, especially since its inherent intermittency impacts grid reliability.  Current plans for the expansion of generation capacity will be compared to expected demand growth.

Video recording: youtube.com/watch?v=YqsBkcKiukE

Additional information:

Gov Abbott directive to the PUC https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/Jackson,_Kathleen_08.16.23.pdf

The PUC nuclear report is posted here
https://interchange.puc.texas.gov/Documents/55421_52_1443114.PDF

From the discussions on this PUC project site
https://interchange.puc.texas.gov/search/filings/?UtilityType=A&ControlNumber=55421&ItemMatch=Equal&DocumentType=ALL&SortOrder=Ascending

Here is Glotfelty’s 9/24 report to the Texas House Appropriations committee. Start at 4:08:10 (to 5:54:20) 
https://house.texas.gov/videos/20813

Concerning a new nuclear startup company in Austin 
https://youtu.be/gI7447kRIXM?si=wTPMrjfxfL2N4WtZ
Glotfelty said in a reply email to me the following:
I have spent a lot of time with Aalo. They are a good group of people. I have numerous friends that work there. They have great promise.

Another important topic is development of a 765 kV transmission system to serve the Permian Basin as well as building a 765 kV backbone throughout ERCOT.  Project number 55718  https://interchange.puc.texas.gov/search/filings/?UtilityType=A&ControlNumber=55718
The PB wants about 24 GW of new electric power to run their fracking operations.  My concern is where is the power going to come from?
I think ERCOT is still working on the 765 kV plan.  https://duckduckgo.com/?t=h_&q=ercot+765+kV+plaN&ia=web

Look at the PUC schedules and note under Electric there are meetings with videos and agendas.  Look at the item numbers under agenda and watch the videos at those specific items numbers to see details of discussions in videos.  In one of the videos Dan Patrick criticizes the PUC for botching their jobs at keeping the reliability of the Houston area.  Shortly thereafter Glotfelty and the PUC chair resigned leaving the state in limbo right at a time of very rapid growth.  This is not good.

Another good source of what it going on inside ERCOT is the calendarhttps://www.ercot.com/calendar and look at the ROS meeting notes where studies of various kinds reports are posted.  These reports do not show up in searches on the internet but they do contain a wealth of information, something for students to read.  Students and IEEE members are also welcome to attend these meetings as well as other committee meetings.