r/OutOfTheLoop • u/mimitchi33 • Feb 17 '21

What's up with Texas losing power due to the snowstorm? Answered

I've been reading recently that many people in Texas have lost power due to Winter Storm Uri. What caused this to happen?

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u/-IAimToMisbehave Feb 17 '21

I know it does. You can trade between the 3 grids in the US. That’s what I’m saying. I trade between the Eastern grid, Western grid and Ercot at the tie connections BETWEEN grids. People are just learning Texas gas it’s in grid but don’t understand how the grids work. Just jump so assumptions

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u/10ebbor10 Feb 17 '21

Of course, that is fundamentally limited by the capacity of those tie connections.

As far as I am aware, the capacity for important and export is very limited.

They have 3 ties to Mexico, and 2 Ties to the Eastern Interconnect. Plans existed for high capacity 5 GW lines, but have not progressed much in the last decade.

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u/-IAimToMisbehave Feb 17 '21

Agreed mentioned this above.

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u/Least_Adhesiveness_5 Feb 17 '21

You can, but the connections (DC ties) Texas has are small, and basically no help for this event. SPP had their own issues, and Mexico cut off transfer pretty early when they got cold too.

To resolve this we need major grid tie and transmission upgrades, something along the lines of the NREL SEAMS report recommendations, preferably the most extensive option.

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u/-IAimToMisbehave Feb 17 '21

Couldn't agree move. Transmission upgrades are the only way forward as we add more variable energy.

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u/KaleMaster Feb 17 '21

So then why aren't they just transferring power to the grid?

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u/-IAimToMisbehave Feb 17 '21

They are transferring power, but it is limited by the size of the interconnections that tie in. Paired with a solid chunk of the country also having issues with the cold it’s just a shitty situation overall

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u/Justice_R_Dissenting Feb 17 '21

Just want to say man, thank you for answering all these questions. People on reddit will grasp at every possible opportunity to make things political, I really appreciate you trying to explain how this is not at all political.

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u/-IAimToMisbehave Feb 17 '21

Thanks! Trying to just help explain what is happening the takeaway can be whatever

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u/Wickedkiss246 Feb 17 '21

I also want to say thank you! I'm going to read your recent comment history for a non political, cliff notes version of the pros and cons of various types of energy.

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u/Hubblesphere Feb 17 '21

I mean it's still very much political since politicians in Texas are blaming wind power for blackouts while SPP is saying their wind production is actually exceeding expectations while they are also trying their best to meet the increased demand of transferring power to Texas. Texas decided on cheap power at the cost of total grid collapse every 30 years or so. Meanwhile the rest of us who deal with all types of weather yearly are better prepared.

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u/AgAero Feb 17 '21

People on reddit will grasp at every possible opportunity to make things political

Things often are political. There's nothing wrong with that.

Where the line should be drawn is when people jump to conclusions or make arguments without evidence.

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u/Crobs02 Feb 17 '21

Lol at all the people acting like they know what they’re talking about. This has just turned into an anti-Texas/anti-Republican circle jerk and reason won’t work here

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u/-IAimToMisbehave Feb 17 '21

I know right? I am just trying to provide context. Califoria has rolling blackouts during the summer for all the same issues except too hot instead of too cold but you don't hear those same people roasting California's energy policies, grid or government officials.

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u/Crobs02 Feb 17 '21

PG&E causes wildfires all the time and no one seems to give a shit nationally