H-E-B Inks Em'power'ing Deal in Houston

Texas Microgrid LLC has agreed to provide Enchanted Rock’s (ERock) On Demand Electric Reliability service for 45 H-E-B stores in the greater Houston region, which will help ensure that the stores stay open when utility service is down.

Situated on the Texas Gulf Coast, the Houston area is highly susceptible to the adverse effects of many weather events, including tropical storms, hurricanes, flooding and high winds. ERock’s natural-gas-powered microgrid design will provide sufficient electrical reliability to supply the energy needs of an entire store when normal utility power isn't available. With backup generation of this level, H-E-B will be able to provide a critical service to the community during and after minor or major weather and flooding events similar to those experienced in Houston recently.

“Our H-E-B Houston-area stores experience intermittent power outages,” said George Presses, H-E-B VP of fuel and energy. “We are in need of a reliable backup power system that will keep our stores up and running without any interruption to our partners, customers or communities due to a weather event or a general, short-term grid outage.”

Added Presses: “Providing aid in times of disaster is the cornerstone of H-E-B's Helping Here philosophy, which promises to stand by communities during times of need. Keeping our stores open in times of need strengthens our ability to serve our communities.”

Founded in 2006, Houston-based Enchanted Rock Ltd. builds and operates cost-effective microgrids that help companies manage physical and financial risk associated with electricity.

With sales of more than $23 billion, San Antonio-based H-E-B operates more than 370 stores in Texas and Mexico.