As a Texas energy consumer that enjoys an electricity choice, you expect power to be available when you plug in your appliances. State utilities and non-utility companies work together to deliver uninterrupted electric supply.

Furthermore, the whole system of electricity generation and distribution is a complex system. If you wonder how they make the Texas power supply so seamless, read on.

Power Generation

Using your electricity choice, you can choose Texas power supply plans from various sources of energy, including fossil fuels, renewables, and nuclear.

Steam Power Plants

Fossil fuels like petroleum and its products, coal, and natural gas combust in a gas turbine generator to give out steam, producing electricity. As the hot gases expand in the cylinder, the shaft connected to the generator converts mechanical energy into electric power.

Renewable Energy Units

In hydroelectric power units, water accumulated in reservoirs flows through conduits and applies pressure on the turbine blades. Other renewable sources include solar, wind, wastewater, and refuse. In 2020, the share of wind energy production in Texas power supply surpassed that of coal.

Nuclear Power Units

Nuclear power sources contribute to one-tenth of the state’s net power generated. Uranium is the fuel used in three licensed Texas’ nuclear reactors. Currently, only two nuclear plants are operational. Uranium undergoes a fission reaction, driving the turbine to produce electricity.

Texas Power Supply: How Electricity Comes to Your Home or Business

First and foremost, before consumer’s can use the final product, power is transmitted via:

Generating Units: Power plants generate electricity by turning raw fuel sources into usable energy for commercial and residential needs.

Transformers: Highly-complicated machines at the generating units. They magnify the voltage, so it becomes easy to transport power across hundreds of miles.

Power Lines: A vast network of cables that line the streets transmits the power to various service areas in Texas.

Local Substations: The bulk energy goes to a substation where the voltage gets reduced so that it can travel over small lines and reach businesses and homes.

Distribution Lines: The power goes through distribution lines in the neighborhood and smaller transformers where the voltage gets lower.

Lastly, at your home, the Texas power supply’s final destination, the electrical meter, acting as a gate-keeper, allows the inflow of energy. The service panel with fuses and breaker switches regulates the power and distributes it through multiple outlets in your home.

Texas Energy Deregulation

The major players of the deregulated Texas energy market are:

Electric Reliability Council of Texas: Texas power grid.

Public Utilities Commission of Texas: A state-owned entity that enforces the energy market regulations.

Transmission and Distribution Utilities: Local utilities that manage power infrastructure and distribute electricity to your home.

Retail Electricity Providers: Private companies offering competitive pricing on various energy plans.

In conclusion, utilize your electricity choice today and choose the best, affordable power plans in your Zip code. Enter your details below.