Wind and solar power are 'bailing out' Texas amid record heat and energy demand

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Luckily, Texas has increased power due to wind and solar to make up for Greg Abbott's screwup on the grid

Link to tweet

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/14/us/texas-energy-record-solar-wind-climate/index.html

Texans are cranking on the air conditioning this week amid an unusually early heat wave, setting new records for electricity demand in the state, which surpassed 75 gigawatts on Sunday and smashed the 2019 record. Texas grid operator ERCOT projects it could approach that peak again on Tuesday.

But unlike previous extreme weather events in Texas which led to deadly blackouts, the grid is holding up remarkably well this week. Several experts told CNN that it's owed in large part to strong performances from wind and solar, which generated 27 gigawatts of electricity during Sunday's peak demand -- close to 40% of the total needed.

"Texas is, by rhetoric, anti-renewables. But frankly, renewables are bailing us out," said Michael Webber, an energy expert and professor at the University of Texas at Austin. "They're rocking. That really spares us a lot of heartache and a lot of money."

Despite the Texas Republican rhetoric that wind and solar are unreliable, Texas has a massive and growing fleet of renewables. Zero-carbon electricity sources (wind, solar, and nuclear) powered about 38% of the state's power in 2021, rivaling natural gas at 42%.

[Blues Heron]

1. Anti-renewable is so stupid - its free fuel for the generators. do they not get that?

no oil needed, no uranium to mine, process and ship. Just set em up and let er rip!

[Javaman]

2. yup it is.

I have solar panels on my home and it was explained to me that what ever power I generate that I don't use, goes to my neighbors.

I wish more people understood that concept.