It's Official: Texas has achieved Third-World Status

[swsig]

Admin Edit-


Knock off the CA bashing. You guys are like kids on a playground- "My dog's better than your dog!"
It gets very tiresome for our CA members who have to put up with all that they endure to constantly hear you guys bashing them.
Also knock off the political innuendo.

I'm getting tired of the same people causing the same problems.
I can fix that if you won't.
It's been a stressful year with lots of stuff most or all of us don't like. Lighten up.


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original post:

Because it's been so cold here (below freezing for a week, and 3 degrees in the DFW area this morning), the Texas electrical grid cannot produce enough electricity to serve its customers. Since 2 am we have been on a third-world supply status, getting about 30 minutes of electricity per hour. Inside temperatures at our house range from the 50s to low 60s, depending on the room. Since it's going to get even colder (below zero) tomorrow, we're stuck with this electrical "service" for at least another day, maybe two. Our fireplace is helping somewhat, but it can't heat the whole house. We at least have hot water with our gas water heaters. It has to be tough for those with all-electric homes. Heads should roll for this fiasco.

On the plus side, sales of back-up generators in Texas will soar. Buy stock in Kohler and Generac now!

 

[HardToHandle]

There are numerous regulatory reasons for the Texas state of affairs. This same scenario occurs every five to ten years. Voters could do away with ERCOT if they cared, but then they would fall under federal jurisdiction.

Texans also could just pay a bit more for electricity... Probably a few pennies a month to have spare capacity. Literally this very scenario is assessed every Fall. Extreme cold weather expected to result in record electric use in ERCOT region

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A few years ago during a severe storm, was surprised to learn that our NM Natural Gas came from Texas.
Google Search says - The San Juan Basin (NW NM) is among the top U.S. natural gas-producing areas. New Mexico is among the most prolific natural gas-producing states and has more than 5% of U.S. proved natural gas reserves. In 2018, the state accounted for about 4% of the nation's total natural gas production.
Failure Of the electric grid curtailed the ability of Texas Gas Fields to supply the Gas needed here.
The answer was to shut the valve on the pipeline going North in NM or risk the entire system going down.
So the Folks in N NM where it gets really cold had their Gas shut off!

 

[LVSteve]

There are numerous regulatory reasons for the Texas state of affairs. This same scenario occurs every five to ten years. Voters could do away with ERCOT if they cared, but then they would fall under federal jurisdiction.

Texans also could just pay a bit more for electricity... Probably a few pennies a month to have spare capacity. Literally this very scenario is assessed every Fall. Extreme cold weather expected to result in record electric use in ERCOT region

Nobody, sorry I mean NOBODY, has a business model that has slack in it in the 21st century, it's just not done. Wall Street would cut off their knees at the throat. How do you think government utilities suddenly become "efficient" when privatized? Anything that looks like a contingency costing money gets axed.

 

[fiasconva]

Speaking of Germany, I saw an article where the Germans are furious with alternative energy programs. Seems the wind farms are frozen and the solar panels are covered with snow so no energy produced by either. Now, who could have predicted that in a country that gets that much snow and cold weather? Anyone think something like that could happen here, or has it already?

 

[gregintenn]

What ya'll need are some windmills and solar panels. They are all the rage now.

 

[Ugly Hombre]

I lived in a 3rd world country back in the 70's that had brownouts rolling black outs and other un-pleasant things. 40 + years later a lot no fun things I saw and once was thankful we did not have in 70's America are appearing here in the good old USA...

Makes me sad...

 

[LVSteve]

I lived in a 3rd world country back in the 70's that had brownouts rolling black outs and other un-pleasant things. 40 + years later a lot no fun things I saw and once was thankful we did not have in 70's America are appearing here in the good old USA...

Makes me sad...

When you operate a "just in time" and "only enough for today" energy supply (and society in general), you are going to get your butt kicked by Mother Nature every so often. But everybody loves their growing 401k courtesy of "no slack" hedge funds, so nothing is going to change any day soon.

 

[Claymore33]

Crude oil and Nat Gas will provide America's energy for the next 50 years. Solar and wind are sidelines.

 

[rwsmith]

You can buy...

What ya'll need are some windmills and solar panels. They are all the rage now.

...German ones really cheap.

 

[biku324]

Crude oil and Nat Gas will provide America's energy for the next 50 years. Solar and wind are sidelines.

Renewables produce between 12% and 36% of New Mexico's electricity right now. It's split between wind and solar and is increasing monthly.

 

[Jessie]

Well, remove the rest and report back .

 

[ladder13]

What ya'll need are some windmills and solar panels. They are all the rage now.

Can't wait to fly an Airbus 380 or a 747-8, transatlantic, with solar panels powering it across.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Speaking of Germany, I saw an article where the Germans are furious with alternative energy programs. Seems the wind farms are frozen and the solar panels are covered with snow so no energy produced by either. Now, who could have predicted that in a country that gets that much snow and cold weather? Anyone think something like that could happen here, or has it already?

You called it. Half of Texas wind turbines are frozen.

Historic winter storm freezes Texas wind turbines

Your utility distribution network is always susceptible to interruption, no matter the source. Plenty of options to generate power yourselves.

 

[PatriotX]

Can't wait to fly an Airbus 380 or a 747-8, transatlantic, with solar panels powering it across.

Solar plane flew from Spain to NYC five-plus years ago.


Solar Impulse - Wikipedia

 

[GaryS]

CA has rolling black outs every summer. Southern CA has chronic water supply issues.

What's going on in TX is not chronic, it's do to an exceptional set of temporary conditions.

Now that's no way to make friends...you should bash your state, claim your being held against your will, and beg forgiveness from the free staters for living there. Or better yet, move to Texas and add to their electrical grid that hasn't kept up with the exploding population. You aren't truly free until you live with rolling blackouts.

 

[HardToHandle]

CA has rolling black outs every summer. Southern CA has chronic water supply issues.

What's going on in TX is not chronic, it's do to an exceptional set of temporary conditions.

Sorta exceptional. These are absolutely known and foreseeable risks, such as wind generation shutting down at -11F.

Oklahoma, Kansas and the rest of the Southwest Power Pool states are likely to see rolling blackouts starting tomorrow in addition to Texas.

Many causes, but the largest cause is going to be the green energy push. In the SPP area and Texas, that is nearly 20 years of major tax advantages to wind. Effectively the price of wind is subsidized so low that it is too expensive for existing coal plants to burn coal.
OATI OASIS

Bad public policy will kill people this week. Bear in mind that was supported by both political parties, so only political in process.

 

[biku324]

Well, remove the rest and report back .

Oddly, our neighbors are having rolling blackouts and we're not.

 

[robrossk]

Interestingly, Rick Parry was just on with Tucker Carlson. His home power literally shut off just as interview began. After a minute or so he was back on after generators kicked in. He said 25% of Texas power comes from Wind Turbines located in West Texas. That is what caused the big problem. Live and learn and as population grows there will be need for more power. I also saw the 60 minutes episode with Bill Gates about a newer and safer form of nuclear power. Who woulda thought that?

 

[biku324]

Well, that's half true...


News Release

February 14, 2021

Grid operator requests energy conservation for system reliability

AUSTIN, TX, Feb. 14, 2021 – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is asking consumers and businesses to reduce their electricity use as much as possible Sunday, Feb. 14 through Tuesday, Feb. 16.

"We are experiencing record-breaking electric demand due to the extreme cold temperatures that have gripped Texas," said ERCOT President and CEO Bill Magness. "At the same time, we are dealing with higher-than-normal generation outages due to frozen wind turbines and limited natural gas supplies available to generating units. We are asking Texans to take some simple, safe steps to lower their energy use during this time."

 

[Justin T]

I've been without power since 2:30am. Rolling blackouts? Whatever electricity is available musta rolled right on by.

 

[Jinglebob]

Oklahoma has problems also. We are at level 2 electricity wise. At level 3, rolling blackouts. Natural gas is also a concern, we are running low on supply. It's so cold, minus 10 degrees in some areas, that the gas well heads are freezing. Citizens have been asked to keep thermostats at 60 or lower.

 

[4barrel]

It is Zero here by the lake but we have plenty of propane and setting on 73 degrees inside with 3 full tanks of gas and PLENTY of liquid fuel for consumption and 2 cats and 5 dogs for backup heat and 12 volt lights and a 4 wheel drive. Electricity cycles about 40 minutes so for. Lots of snow but little ice. We have a coal powered plant on the river about 50 miles away that sells to 12 co op's. <I do have a fireplace if needed>

 

[Oldfrt]

Sitting hear watching the news, they are pushing the conservation of power due to the extreme cold and storm. The reason is that they shut down a lot of coal and natural gas power plants which provide the spinning reserve needed on the power grid. The solar power doesn't work well in overcast/snowy conditions. The wind mills don't work for squat when they are ice covered, low wind speed or high wind speed. The infrastructure s not in place to add additional natural gas turbines, and in the winter there isn't enough gas available to run a lot of what is already in place. A lot of the large coal powered power plants use natural gas to start up in the event of a trip. Under extreme cold like we have now there may not be enough gas to restart the plant in the event of a trip. Those persons working for the power company's in these brutal conditions do put there lives at risk so the general public can sit comfortably in their homes and offices. Glad I took 3 vacation days over the weekend so I can be one of them instead of having to go out on that boiler with only 3 walls.

I made this post earlier on a different social media site for my family. I have worked in power generation for close to 40 years and have a backup generator, and insisted that the house I bought was not full electric.

 

[handejector]

9 posts deleted.
Knock off the CA bashing. You guys are like kids on a playground- "My dog's better than your dog!"
It gets very tiresome for our CA members who have to put up with all that they endure to constantly hear you guys bashing them.
Also knock off the political innuendo.

I'm getting tired of the same people causing the same problems.
I can fix that if you won't.
It's been a stressful year with lots of stuff most or all of us don't like. Lighten up.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

"What ya'll need are some windmills and solar panels. They are all the rage now."

We have many windmills in Texas - they are frozen.

 

[Lee Barner]

I just talked to my nephew in White Settlement, just west of FW and his power has been off since 2 am. Lee

 

[pawngal]

Much of Iowa is covered by the Southwest Power Pool that is having the rolling blackouts across much of the central US. But I'm not in that area, my power company has made a statement that they have enough generating power to maintain service at peak levels. Hopefully that remains true. Forecast tonight is -28.

 

[Kiwi cop]

You called it. Half of Texas wind turbines are frozen.

Historic winter storm freezes Texas wind turbines

Your utility distribution network is always susceptible to interruption, no matter the source. Plenty of options to generate power yourselves.

To those in Texas (and elsewhere) effected by the ice and cold, we hope you all hunker down, keep warm and survive until it warms up again.

While Karen and I were driving through Texas we were surprised at the number of wind turbines, especially around Amarillo, in a place where the economy was based on oil and gas (just like our home provence of Taranaki). We never gave a thought to them freezing even though we have heard of the "Texas Blue Norther".

In the last 18 months a big (for Kiwiland) wind farm has been established between our town and the one just south east of us (17 km/10 miles away) We can actually see some of the turbines from the end of our street and they are a blight on the ocean view when driving along the highway. Now here's a thought. We live on the coast, salt corrosioin from the water is an issue for things like outdoor furniture, cars etc. What will the salt laden air do to these turbines in a decade or so?

Is green energy really economic?

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Sorta exceptional. These are absolutely known and foreseeable risks, such as wind generation shutting down at -11F.

Oklahoma, Kansas and the rest of the Southwest Power Pool states are likely to see rolling blackouts starting tomorrow in addition to Texas.

Many causes, but the largest cause is going to be the green energy push. In the SPP area and Texas, that is nearly 20 years of major tax advantages to wind. Effectively the price of wind is subsidized so low that it is too expensive for existing coal plants to burn coal.
OATI OASIS

Bad public policy will kill people this week. Bear in mind that was supported by both political parties, so only political in process.

Follow the money.