> Wind turbines shutting off caused Texas to use peaker power prematurely to replace renewable power instead of in its proper role as a buffer for surges in demand.
Blaming wind for the problems seems a bit disingenuous, when wind outages were 3,000MW and thermal outages were over 30,000MW. I don't deny that wind failed too, but this was a holistic failure.
> The neighboring grids were also under emergency reductions and had no surplus power. OK and LA were extremely close to also implementing blackouts.
You missed a chance here to point out that SPP actually did have blackouts, although only for a few hours. They did better outside of Texas because they had more options and better preparedness.
> But I have not heard of any plant in Texas shutting down due to "frozen coal piles".
I heard about it at the time through connections in the industry, but it's gotten some press too.
> Over reliance on intermittent renewables without sufficient backup i
In 1989, I sat in a cold dark house in Houston, due to power shortages and forced blackouts much like those in 2021. You're concerned about an overeliance on wind power in 2021? There was 'no' wind power in 1989. You're concerned about shut down coal plants in 2021? They were running in 1989. You're concerned about electrical NG pipeline pumps in 2021? They were self-powered in 1989.
Most of my suggestions are really about ensuring sufficient backup and addressing problems that range far beyond just the number of wind turbines and solar panels in the state. What are your suggestions?
Blaming wind for the problems seems a bit disingenuous, when wind outages were 3,000MW and thermal outages were over 30,000MW. I don't deny that wind failed too, but this was a holistic failure.
> The neighboring grids were also under emergency reductions and had no surplus power. OK and LA were extremely close to also implementing blackouts.
You missed a chance here to point out that SPP actually did have blackouts, although only for a few hours. They did better outside of Texas because they had more options and better preparedness.
> But I have not heard of any plant in Texas shutting down due to "frozen coal piles".
I heard about it at the time through connections in the industry, but it's gotten some press too.
https://acee.princeton.edu/acee-news/andlinger-center-speaks...
> Over reliance on intermittent renewables without sufficient backup i
In 1989, I sat in a cold dark house in Houston, due to power shortages and forced blackouts much like those in 2021. You're concerned about an overeliance on wind power in 2021? There was 'no' wind power in 1989. You're concerned about shut down coal plants in 2021? They were running in 1989. You're concerned about electrical NG pipeline pumps in 2021? They were self-powered in 1989.
Most of my suggestions are really about ensuring sufficient backup and addressing problems that range far beyond just the number of wind turbines and solar panels in the state. What are your suggestions?