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What the f*** is happening in Texas?
I couldn’t sleep last night, so I did my best to put the backstory into a thread. If you have loved ones or friends in Texas...and are utterly confused how these events unfolded in the energy capital of the world, this is for you:
I couldn’t sleep last night, so I did my best to put the backstory into a thread. If you have loved ones or friends in Texas...and are utterly confused how these events unfolded in the energy capital of the world, this is for you:
1/ WEATHER
Frigid temps will always throw this state into a tailspin
But all 254 counties simultaneously had winter storm warnings. So many Texans have never been this cold. On 1/16, DFW airport’s low was -2°. Only time on record colder was Feb *1899*
Frigid temps will always throw this state into a tailspin
But all 254 counties simultaneously had winter storm warnings. So many Texans have never been this cold. On 1/16, DFW airport’s low was -2°. Only time on record colder was Feb *1899*
2/ ROADS
TxDOT has 30 snowplows (ie ~1 per million residents). Our sand/salt reserves def don’t look like New England’s. Lack of adequate road treatment + inexperience driving on snow/ice is a bad combo.
Last Thursday, there was a deadly 135-car pileup in Ft Worth
TxDOT has 30 snowplows (ie ~1 per million residents). Our sand/salt reserves def don’t look like New England’s. Lack of adequate road treatment + inexperience driving on snow/ice is a bad combo.
Last Thursday, there was a deadly 135-car pileup in Ft Worth
3/ ENERGY
TX largely + now (in)famously has its own grid. Optimized for summer peaks, not low-prob. winter peak
1/15 temps shot demand to record levels + knocked ~40% power generation offline. These assets aren’t winterized, like we were warned to do after Feb '11 deep freeze
TX largely + now (in)famously has its own grid. Optimized for summer peaks, not low-prob. winter peak
1/15 temps shot demand to record levels + knocked ~40% power generation offline. These assets aren’t winterized, like we were warned to do after Feb '11 deep freeze
We “were minutes away from the entire grid crashing,” per a lawmaker, which could have led to a months-long blackout. ERCOT ordered local utilities to shed power consumption loads w/ “rotating outages''
For millions, outages weren’t rotating—the power stayed off.
For millions, outages weren’t rotating—the power stayed off.
Rightfully so, this prompted a lot of finger-pointing. Gov will investigate grid reliability, winter generating capabilities, etc. But the politicization/demonization of certain energy sources seems bad faith
Thermal plants supply most TX winter power, wind exp to kick in ~6-10%
Thermal plants supply most TX winter power, wind exp to kick in ~6-10%
Coal/gas/nuclear are responsible for 60% of the lost power this week at peak; wind/solar account for 40% (though these #'s change)
Anywho, obviously, power restoration and public safety are priority #1!!
Anywho, obviously, power restoration and public safety are priority #1!!
4/ SUPPLIES
HEB, the best grocery chain in existence, is great with emergency prep/disaster response. Last week, HEB began taking special measures to ensure "stores remain well-stocked."
That was pretty prescient. Supermarkets have reopened with reduced hours/staff/supplies
HEB, the best grocery chain in existence, is great with emergency prep/disaster response. Last week, HEB began taking special measures to ensure "stores remain well-stocked."
That was pretty prescient. Supermarkets have reopened with reduced hours/staff/supplies
Anecdotally speaking, 90% of the gas stations I went to yesterday didn’t have gas. Low on food as well.
5/ PERFECT STORM
So—It’s not *just* Texas freezing over, it the clusterf*** of cascading crises. 4.2+ million didn’t have power at one point. Many didn’t have it for days on end. Cell service was crappy or nonexistent in some spots.
Power is thankfully being restored
So—It’s not *just* Texas freezing over, it the clusterf*** of cascading crises. 4.2+ million didn’t have power at one point. Many didn’t have it for days on end. Cell service was crappy or nonexistent in some spots.
Power is thankfully being restored
But 10,000s out of luck due to equipment damage. Also 10,000s of pipes burst, leaving people w/o water, and possibly, flooded apts/homes.
Austin is now under a city-wide boil water notice due to power loss at our largest treatment facility. Some hospitals running low on water
Austin is now under a city-wide boil water notice due to power loss at our largest treatment facility. Some hospitals running low on water
6/ END
Useful resources for Texans, as well as ways to help for everyone else, if interested!
http://texastribune.org/2021/02/16/texas-power-outage-help-warming-shelter/
http://cbsnews.com/news/how-to-help-texas-winter-weather-emergency-power-outages-snow-2020-02-18/
http://docs.google.com/document/d/11GplfTTLRv6yV-2AC6GFw5Gy4izlPdGSay1HdRQcRjQ/preview?pru=AAABd9XQ3Vc*3azIux-6snVgumqdZ_D7hA (h/t @rachelcantor_)
Useful resources for Texans, as well as ways to help for everyone else, if interested!
http://texastribune.org/2021/02/16/texas-power-outage-help-warming-shelter/
http://cbsnews.com/news/how-to-help-texas-winter-weather-emergency-power-outages-snow-2020-02-18/
http://docs.google.com/document/d/11GplfTTLRv6yV-2AC6GFw5Gy4izlPdGSay1HdRQcRjQ/preview?pru=AAABd9XQ3Vc*3azIux-6snVgumqdZ_D7hA (h/t @rachelcantor_)
and h/t @kevindstevens for proofreading the energy section
