Community Forums

VanDiemen23 · 02-15-2021, 09:18 PM

More than a few times people have brought up rolling blackouts in California as a way to justify their dislike of the state, or how EVs are never going to be practical, yada, yada, yada.

Well, Texas got rolling blackouts today, largely due to not winterizing equipment:

https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/lo...5-b78e7e4fc13a

Guess Cali hasn't cornered the market on incompetency after all.

Bobby F · 02-15-2021, 10:53 PM

https://babylonbee.com/news/people-w...-power-is-out/

JBMSJ · 02-16-2021, 04:04 AM

The cascading producer shut-downs can be attributed to frozen wind farms which reduced capacity state-wide and led to insufficient power to support the load on the grid. Subsequent equipment startup problems associated with backup production capability compounded the problem, but inappropriate reliance on wind power caused the issues.

move on · 02-16-2021, 04:20 AM

Why did Texas decide to build wind farms when they have so much clean, reliable natural gas available?

BillJinOR · 02-16-2021, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by move on

Why did Texas decide to build wind farms when they have so much clean, reliable natural gas available?

Because while cleaner , natural gas is still a fossil fuel and pollutes [emoji6]
I have nothing against wind farms the problem here is that the back up fossil fuel generation wasn’t prepared for cold weather and failed. For whatever reason
My bro in law with a diesel dodge called me asking how to get his truck started ( gelled fuel ) at 9° outside in Dallas !!! I have since heard from many friends in Texas who’s trucks and Motorhomes won’t run. .. fuel all gelled because they don’t ever get this cold. .. no winter fuel ? I assume the backup generators are having similar issues. Ooops

move on · 02-16-2021, 05:04 AM

The products of combustion of natural gas are water and carbon dioxide. They are not pollution.

txcpl · 02-16-2021, 05:29 AM

The energy system in the Great State of Texas have shown their problems and limitations very loud and clear. This should be a wakeup call to everyone, not just Texans, that a reliable power system is one which utilizes all types of generation systems. No one or two systems will fill the needs. Yes power generation will need to grow as more people move to Texas. I hope all Texas open their eyes to our power needs and work together to fulfill them.

BillJinOR · 02-16-2021, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by move on

The products of combustion of natural gas are water and carbon dioxide. They are not pollution.

Many would disagree ..google

“Climate change natural gas

While natural gas is a cleaner burning resource than coal and liquid petroleum, it still emits a large amount of carbon into the atmosphere in the form of both CO2 and methane.”

move on · 02-16-2021, 05:52 AM

Yes, but we need carbon in the atmosphere. It is required for photosynthesis, the process through which all life on earth is created. Carbon cannot be considered a pollutant.

TXiceman · 02-16-2021, 06:32 AM

The rolling blackouts turned into long term black outs. Centerpoint Energy covers most of the Houston area and only is reporting power to 42% of their customers...58% have no power.

Why, poor planning? Normally in the winter, the electric demand is down and this is when they have plants off line or down for maintenance planning for the high summer demand. Damned if they do and damned if they don't.

One big issue is news stations are showing the downtown are and large business areas are fully lighted. Yes, some of these places are providing essential services and have essential computer systems to maintain, but they can shutdown many lights and allow this power for homes that need it. Dallas requested that the downtown areas shut down all nonessential power and is not experiencing the quiet the problems of Houston.

We are located in an RV park about 3 blocks from a large medical center and so far have power....knock on my wooden head. I guess they have kept this part of the grid up for the hospital. Many areas around us have no power.

Ken

BillJinOR · 02-16-2021, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by move on

Yes, but we need carbon in the atmosphere. It is required for photosynthesis, the process through which all life on earth is created. Carbon cannot be considered a pollutant.

Correct , and I’m not in the “ camp”, but those who are claim Excess carbon , especially methane is the reason for climate change and want it regulated as a pollutant ( too much of a good thing) You asked why not use more gas and that is why. Maybe if enough people are freezing in their homes they will think more clearly. Being a pessimist, I doubt it.

SeeTheUSA · 02-16-2021, 07:37 AM

Not enough “green” in the deal that is new. Citizens will get to contribute more green when the future billing cranks up.

hpdrver · 02-16-2021, 07:43 AM

Texas has so much wind power because it is profitable due to tax breaks and subsidies. Green energy means green money for some people.

Cooperhawk · 02-16-2021, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hpdrver

Texas has so much wind power because it is profitable due to tax breaks and subsidies. Green energy means green money for some people.

Minnesooota had that as well, but the subsidies are going away and so will wind power. It's not cost effective.

I learned this morning on the local news, that there are three power grids in the US. East, West, and Texas. Yup, Texas has its own power grid.

As far as global warming, I'll take some this morning. It's fourteen below and we've been below zero for over a week. The last time it was this cold for this long was in 1936.

Hhmm,,, New Ice Age?