ERCOT again asks Texans to conserve power after numerous generators fail

[Nevilledog]

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Houston Chronicle
@HoustonChron
BREAKING: Texans are again being asked to scale back their power consumption after six power generators went offline Friday, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

houstonchronicle.com
ERCOT again asks Texans to conserve power after numerous generators fail
In nearly all of the state, energy prices were running at more than $5,000 per megawatt...
3:44 PM · May 13, 2022

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/home/article/ERCOT-again-asks-Texans-to-conserve-power-after-17172054.php

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https://archive.ph/QRaPt


Texans are again being asked to scale back their electricity consumption after six power generators went offline Friday amid unseasonably hot weather and strong demand for energy, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

ERCOT said the failures resulted in the loss of approximately 2,900 megawatts of generating capacity One megawatt is about enough electricity to power 200 homes on a hot day.

Prices climbed quickly in wholesale electricity markets Friday afternoon and into the evening, running as high as $5,000 per megawatt hour, according to ERCOT. Wholesale prices typically average around $30 per megawatt hour.

ERCOT asked that Texans keep their thermostats set above 78 degrees and avoid using large appliances such as dishwashers or dryers during peak hours of 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. this weekend, with temperatures again forecast for the 90s.

*snip*

[progree]

1. These were all natural gas generators that failed (so they can't blame solar and wind for this)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142916788

Natural-gas fired plants make up all of the generation that failed, an Ercot spokesman said.

Gas turbine plants don't inherently fail in high 90's degree weather; it's a matter of properly cooling them, so I don't know what the problem is except crappy design and maintenance.

[JHB]

12. Yes they can. All they have to do is say it, and it'll be the squawk of bubbleville all over again

It's what happened last time.

[herding cats]

2. Next week should be interesting. It's not even seriously hot here yet.

The next week is going to be illuminating.

[DanieRains]

3. They Call It Making Profits

By jacking rates.

Obviously.

Put Republicans in charge of power!

[pnwmom]

4. They're asking them not to keep the temps below 78. Doesn't sound like much of a sacrifice

to me -- living in a place where most people don't have air conditioning and put up with temps in the 80's for much of the summer.

[moonscape]

9. But it cools down at night doesn't it? I live

on the Central CA coast and heat feels so different than on the East Coast because of the nighttime relief. That said, Texans are used to a lot higher temps than I am now, so there’s that

[area51]

11. During the worst of the summer it doesn't cool down at night. n/t

[Captain Zero]

5. what other states have an "Electric Reliability Council" ?

Just wondering. I don't think we even need any bullshit like that in Indiana.
IMHO Texas and Florida are the two most screwed up states there are.

[TwilightZone]

8. Most, if not all, states have them.

They just call them different things.

In Indiana, it's called the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

[Solly Mack]

6. Well

They're truly fucked because it's still early. It will get hotter.

[Lonestarblue]

7. This can't be right--Abbott fixed all the problems after the February 2021 ice storm!

If people in this state re-elect this lying piece of scum, I really may have to leave. Abbott does nothing but hurt people for the sake of business profits and big donations.

[Marius25]

10. Good thing Texas showed all those pro-regulation people

and kept their power grid disconnected from the national one!

Way to go Texas, enjoy your lack of power in triple digit heat.

[MineralMan]

13. Abbot's Fault!

[Baked Potato]

14. What the hell? 'Mericans don't cut back on nothing!

Just like that damn 55 MPH because of them Arabs keeping our oil.





*sarcasm*

[roamer65]

15. Connecting ERCOT to the national grid needs to be stopped at all cost.

It will cause problems for other states.

[Takket]

16. but what about muh FREEDUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!

well all know how this will play out. the Democrats will do their part to help everyone else by heeding the warnings, and the rethugs will be turning the T'stat down to 65 and standing naked over the air conditioning vents with the windows wide open. BECAUSE FREEDUMB.
somehow i don't think the "I can't wear a piece of cloth over my face even if it means not giving covid to my 90 year old grandma" crowd isn't going to give a shit about Abbott's failed ERCOT asking them to make a small sacrifice.