Energy Conservation Requests Increase Short Term Grid Stress [pdf]

> Our results suggest a perverse impact; while there is no significant reduction in grid stress over superpeak hours, such calls lead to increased off ̇-peak generation, CO2 emissions, and price volatility. We postulate that consumer attempts at load shifting lead to this result.

ERCOT, the energy utility regulator in Texas, has twice requested this summer that consumers conserve energy to prevent brownouts. This paper suggests that this actually increases grid stress, as consumers rush to prepare for a potential electric outage.

It's like a good ol' fashioned bank run