Having the means to do automated rotational load shedding meant we could handle other immediate tasks at hand while only needing to keep an eye on the RLS. This wouldn’t have been possible if we shed loads manually.
The Challenge
In February 2021, severe winter storms swept through the southern U.S., causing widespread power supply disruptions. The extreme cold led to generation failures as natural gas infrastructure and wind turbines froze, drastically reducing available power. To stabilize the grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) mandated significant load shedding. Utilities across the region struggled to manage this process manually, resulting in extended outages and frustrated customers. Concho Valley EC required a fast, efficient, and automated load shedding solution to maintain system stability and minimize disruption for its 7,000+ members.
The Solution
Concho Valley EC had implemented SurvalentONE Rotational Load Shedding (RLS) ahead of the storm, providing the utility with the automation necessary to manage the crisis. The system enabled automated, pre-configured load shedding schedules, de-energizing and re-energizing different portions of the grid with precision and efficiency.
With RLS, Concho Valley EC could define load shed targets, set start and stop times, and prioritize critical areas such as emergency services and hospitals. The utility deployed 15-minute outage rotations, ensuring fair distribution of power outages while keeping customer homes warm during the harsh winter storm. Operators were freed to focus on other critical tasks, knowing RLS would handle load shedding seamlessly. The utility estimates they would have needed at least 2 more full-time operators to manage the load shedding manually.
Concho Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a non-profit rural electric utility cooperative headquartered in San Angelo, Texas. Organized in 1940, the cooperative has provided safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to its members for over eight decades. Serving portions of 10 counties in a territory surrounding San Angelo and the Concho River, Concho Valley EC plays a vital role in supporting the region’s homes, farms, and businesses.
