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The electrical industry in Texas is moving fast, and two recent developments show just how much change is happening. San Antonio is set to use hundreds of repurposed EV batteries to help stabilize the state’s power grid, creating new opportunities for electricians working with energy storage systems. At the same time, Fort Worth’s explosive growth in data centers is driving electricity demand to record levels, opening the door for large-scale infrastructure projects and specialized electrical work.
These stories show you where the industry is heading and where your opportunities lie. Working with repurposed EV batteries means gaining hands-on experience with advanced energy storage systems, mastering NEC safety standards, and handling complex grid interconnections. Fort Worth’s data center boom gives you the chance to work on large-scale power infrastructure, redundancy systems, and precision installations. By staying on top of evolving codes, sharpening your technical knowledge, and focusing on exam prep, you position yourself to take full advantage of these growing opportunities and advance your career.
Hundreds of old EV batteries have new jobs in Texas: Stabilizing the power grid - The Texas Tribune
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East of San Antonio in Bexar County, 500 electric vehicle batteries at the end of their automotive lives will soon be repurposed to provide energy storage for Texas’ electric grid, a California company, B2U Storage Solutions, announced last week.
The batteries, housed in 21 cabinets the size of shipping containers, create a second life for the technology made from critical minerals, including lithium, nickel and cobalt, for another eight years, said Freeman Hall, co-founder and CEO.
Once the site is built and in operation later this year, the batteries will charge when there is an excess of renewable energy production on the grid and the cost of power is cheap. The Texas facility will have a total capacity of 24 megawatt hours.
Fort Worth’s growth, data centers drive soaring power demand - Fort Worth Report
During a recent legislative hearing, state Sen. Phil King sought to illustrate Texas’ demand for electricity in recent years with a slight upward tilt of his right hand. Then as the Weatherford Republican forecasted what’s in store for the remainder of the decade — and beyond — his hand shot nearly straight up. Throughout the state, and particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, current and future electricity demand is toppling all previous predictions. “North Texas is probably the fastest growing area of the United States,” King said in a recent interview. “If it’s not, it’s close to it. And, obviously, that leads to more power demands.”
Fort Worth recently surpassed 1 million residents with projections showing the city could add another 400,000 over the next 25 years. Meanwhile, across the state, estimates show electricity demand is on track to nearly double from 87 gigawatts this year to 138 gigawatts by 2030. A gigawatt is a measure of electricity generally considered strong enough to power a medium-sized city.
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