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What’s your energy procurement strategy? For most small business owners, this is just another item that they purchase for their business. You mark the calendar to shop for your next contract, but may give very little thought to other aspects of it.
Here are four things to think about for your energy procurement strategy, to get the best commercial electricity price for your business.
Read More about Purchasing Business Electricity: Energy Procurement Strategy
Summer electricity peak demand in Texas is expected to grow nearly 80% in the next 10 years, from 85,464 MW in 2023 to a projected 153,230 MW in 2033. And no, electric vehicles aren’t the cause.
According to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the entity responsible for managing the Texas grid, the three factors driving electricity demand in Texas (in order of impact) are:
Has your business been impacted by Texas power outages? Whether it’s caused by a grid malfunction, brown out or hurricane, owners and administrators of large commercial businesses are tired of being anxious about their power supply. What if you could have a reliable source of power, independent of the grid? That’s what a microgrid is all about.
Read More about Microgrids for Commercial Customers – Reliable Backup Power
How your Texas business uses electricity this summer will impact your bill for the next year. Sounds dramatic. But it’s true.
If you have a demand meter, your peak demand charges for the next calendar year will be established during the grid’s highest demand days in a 4 month period.
In Texas, this is referred to as 4CP or 4 coincident peaks.
When you signed your commercial electricity contract, it included a list of meters and service addresses covered by the contract. It also included benchmark usage information (typically your historical usage) and clauses about penalties for material changes in usage.
All that comes into play when things change. Whether it’s an additional location, moving to a new location, adding new equipment or selling your business, material changes can have an impact on your electricity contract. This article will help you understand what to look for.
Read More about Managing Your Commercial Electricity Contract
If you have a fleet of vehicles for your business, you may be considering going EV for your next purchase. With good reason. There are now more choices for passenger and light-duty fleet vehicles. Here’s a basic guide to fleet electrification 101.
Summary: A business EV fleet may be for you if you have a cargo fleet that drives less than 120 miles a day or sedans/SUVs that drive 200-400 miles daily. Talk to your accountant about depreciation and any purchase incentives.
Read More about Electric Vehicle Fleets: A Guide for Business Owners
Shopping for business electricity in Texas can be a challenge. But you can avoid common mistakes businesses make in energy procurement by knowing what to look for.
Most mistakes are simple oversights. Don’t treat electricity procurement like it’s just another purchasing decision. These can be complex contracts and it’s important to avoid these errors.
In 2022, we had some of the highest electricity prices since deregulation. But now? Prices have come down by 30% or more vs. last year.
Here’s a recap on why prices are so high some years (and during the summer) and some strategies on how to get the best price for your home or business.
A commercial energy broker can help your business save money on energy costs, manage contract renewals, and find the best energy solution. They can also provide advice on various energy plans and contract terms, saving you a significant amount of time.
Read More about Using an Energy Broker for Commercial Electricity
If you’re a business owner in Texas, you need to know that Ancillary Services could be passed through on your bill, depending on your contract language.
Ancillary Services are processes that help the ERCOT grid maintain a stable, efficient and safe operation. These processes and tools let ERCOT control voltage, frequency, flow and system recovery if there’s an emergency event. And new ancillary services charges in Texas could show up as line items in your business electricity bill.
Read More about Texas Ancillary Services – What Are They? And Why Should You Care?
