Inside Texas electricity supply, demand: How this year may be different

TAYLOR, TX (KTRK) -- Inside a two-story, air-conditioned room awash with the glow of large flat screen monitors, ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council Of Texas) monitors ninety percent of the state's power. This is where electricity demand meets supply and vice versa.

"It's much more complicated than you'd think," said Dan Woodfin, the Director of ERCOT System Operations. "A lot of communication is required, not only with ERCOT but also the communications between ERCOT and all of the entities that participate in the market."

ERCOT deals with 550 private power generators who supply Texas' massive grid, requiring more electricity when it's needed and less when it's not.

Entering this summer season, ERCOT planners suggest the state is in good shape. Unlike 2011, when the system experienced the greatest demand in its history, 2015 should be relatively mild. Add that to new power plants coming on line each year, and the generating capacity is matching the state's growth in population.

Chris Coleman, ERCOT's meteorologist told Eyewitness News there shouldn't be the need for voluntary conservation or rolling black-outs this summer. "I'm expecting near normal to below normal temperatures, relating that to the ERCOT load expectations," he explained. "We'reexpecting less than normal demand for generation and our supplies should easily meet those demands."

So expect your bill to be somewhat lower this summer than in years past, not necessarily because of price but because of use.