Modeling decarbonization pathways for the ERCOT grid

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About the project

In this work, we develop an open-source capacity expansion model of the ERCOT grid to capture long-term grid planning decisions given a set of operational, economic, and policy information. Through this model, we seek to study and develop a suite of pathways in which Texas can leverage its substantial potential for renewable energy resources, with the ultimate goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

SWITCH ERCOT is also being expanded to include the hydrogen supply chain and co-optimize the hydrogen and electricity sectors simultaneously. Given hydrogen’s ability to act as an alternative fuel for deep carbonization of the transportation and industrial sectors, as well as a long-duration storage asset for the power grid, it is likely to have substantial impacts on the clean energy transition. Thus, this model is intended to quantify the cross-sectoral impacts of hydrogen.

Once completed, the outputs of this model will be used to inform additional studies in the RESET Lab on air quality, offshore wind adoption, EV smart charging, and more.