Mobile app helps conserve electricity

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Electric Reliability Council of Texas unveiled its long-anticipated smartphone app Wednesday that will help consumers effectively conserve electricity during peak times.

ERCOT, the grid operator for most of Texas, will make energy conservation a little bit easier for smartphone users with the app that includes current system operating conditions, conservation tips and an overview of ERCOT .

Most notably, the app will provide "push" notifications straight to Apple and Android devices. When ERCOT is experiencing high demand and conservation is critical, users who enable the feature will receive alerts notifying them of the situation. That’s also when the conservation tips page will be especially useful.

"ERCOT is committed to using every avenue available to communicate with consumers about the need for conservation during the hours of 3-7 p.m.," said ERCOT External Affairs Director Theresa Gage. "Texans who conserved during the summer of 2011 were vital to keeping the electric grid strong. We hope people in the ERCOT region will adopt this new energy conservation tool during summer 2012."

iPhone, iPad and Android users can find the free ERCOT Energy Saver app by searching for ERCOT in the Apple and Google app stores.

Additional features may become available, depending on system needs and user feedback.