According to a study by Climate Central, Texas has led the nation in weather-related power outages over the last 23 years. In some cases, inclement weather conditions like hurricanes or cold snaps were to blame, especially in conjunction with high energy demand straining the grid.

On top of these issues, aging infrastructure can be responsible for equipment failures. However, San Antonio-based supermarket chain H-E-B is taking steps to ensure that when outages occur, the power stays on so that locations can continue to serve consumers. How are chains like H-E-B and Walmart taking back the power?

H-E-B Upgrades to Microgrids

Before 2016, H-E-B relied on diesel generators to supply stores with energy during outages. Unfortunately, this backup system required fuel to be replenished every 24 hours, making it an inconvenient solution.

Then, the company teamed up with Enchanted Rock to switch to natural gas microgrids, starting with Houston-area stores. Because of this reliable energy source, H-E-B stores have remained open during some of the state’s biggest natural disasters in recent years, including Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the winter storm of February 2021, and Hurricane Beryl in June 2024.

H-E-B has installed microgrids in 85 of its Houston facilities, including markets, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. As a result, stores can remain open and ensure food freshness while offering goods and services to the public, including phone charging, cold beverages, and air-conditioned interiors.

Enchanted Rock Supplies Reliable Microgrids

Houston-based Enchanted Rock, a self-described industry leader in electrical resiliency, creates and maintains microgrids utilized by major clients like H-E-B and Walmart. 

The company hopes to provide the same services to Houston police and fire stations, but as Pete DiSanto, President of Operations for Enchanted Rock, says, “It’s a very bureaucratic process.”

Enchanted Rock maintains a series of self-sufficient generators that operate within the Texas electrical grid but have the capacity to operate independently during power outages. Each unit is about the size of a garden shed and produces 450 kW of power.

Units can be grouped to expand the power supply based on need. While some competitors have offered microgrids that run on solar energy, Enchanted Rock uses natural gas, a much more reliable source of power.

How Stores Stay Open With Microgrids

Microgrids are connected to the electrical grid but are designed to remain dormant while connected to power. When an outage occurs, the units turn on automatically and begin supplying an alternative source of energy.

Although the power may cut out momentarily in an outage, it should return to full strength within just seven seconds, allowing H-E-B stores to continue providing services. Even better, stores may also sell excess power back to the grid, making microgrids an economical choice.

The Future of Reliable Power

H-E-B is always looking for new sources of reliable energy, including options on the horizon like modular nuclear reactors. However, natural gas remains relatively cheap in Texas. With dozens of facilities now outfitted with microgrids, the future of backup energy at H-E-B stores is bright.

To learn more about this story, check out the original article by Spectrum News 1.