Author Topic: Texas’ power grid crumples under the cold  (Read 1313 times)

rcjordan

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Texas’ power grid crumples under the cold
« on: February 15, 2021, 09:03:39 PM »
Wind turbines can apparently operate in Antarctica, so it's not clear what Texas' problem is.

Texas is unusual in that almost the entire state is part of a single grid that lacks extensive integration with those of the surrounding states.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/texas-power-grid-crumples-under-the-cold/

rcjordan

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Re: Texas’ power grid crumples under the cold
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2021, 12:12:25 AM »

rcjordan

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Re: Texas’ power grid crumples under the cold
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2021, 12:03:27 AM »
Texas Power Plants Shut by Cold Left Pipes Exposed to Elements - BNN Bloomberg
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/texas-power-plants-shut-by-cold-left-pipes-exposed-to-elements-1.1564459

Brad

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Re: Texas’ power grid crumples under the cold
« Reply #3 on: February 17, 2021, 11:52:19 AM »
> Exposed

Dang.  Getting caught with your pants down is never pretty.

I guess every part of the country has their demons: the Midwest doesn't build for earthquakes for example.

Travoli

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Re: Texas’ power grid crumples under the cold
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2021, 02:17:58 PM »
Texas has its own power grid so the feds can't regulate it (1935 Federal Power Act). We have ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), which controls about 90% of the state's electrical load. Rumor is they shut down everything they legally could. Remaining grids are considered critical.

Luckily, my neighborhood is on the same grid as a children's hospital. But that isn't stopping everyone's pipes from bursting.
(still ok personally... just some inoperable faucets, so far).

Temps should be back in the 70s in about 10 days.

rcjordan

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Re: Texas’ power grid crumples under the cold
« Reply #5 on: February 17, 2021, 04:16:10 PM »
"Critics of renewable energy have pointed out that wind turbines have frozen or needed to be shut down due to the extreme weather.

And that is significant because almost a quarter (23%) of the power in Texas last year was generated by wind power, according to ERCOT.

Even though other places with colder weather (like Iowa and Denmark) rely on wind for even larger shares of power, experts said the turbines in Texas were not winterized for the unexpected freeze. Cold weather protection like antifreeze and heating elements within the turbine blades and components are not commonly used in Texas."

Good read:
Texas produces more power than any other state. Here's why it went dark anyway - CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/16/business/texas-power-energy-nightmare/index.html


rcjordan

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Re: Texas’ power grid crumples under the cold
« Reply #6 on: February 17, 2021, 04:40:55 PM »
<+>

Just another dirt-bag governor.

"most of the blame lies with natural gas shortages"

Texas governor blamed renewable energy for blackouts on Fox News. He told Texans a different story.
https://theweek.com/speedreads/967298/texas-governor-blamed-renewable-energy-blackouts-fox-news-told-texans-different-story

rcjordan

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Re: Texas’ power grid crumples under the cold
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2021, 06:02:14 AM »

"if you were on a variable or indexed plan, your rate — and therefore, your electric bill — may have skyrocketed.

Last month, his bill for all three was $660. So far, for this month’s electricity, he owes more than $17,000."

Texas winter storms: Some residents see electric bills skyrocket | wfaa.com
https://www.wfaa.com/article/money/business/right-on-the-money/how-in-the-world-can-anyone-pay-that-some-seeing-electric-bills-as-high-as-17k-in-wake-of-texas-winter-storm/287-14a54a65-39cb-4d1c-931c-0d003002f529

ergophobe

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Re: Texas’ power grid crumples under the cold
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2021, 02:40:53 AM »
That's worse than the medical profession.