Data Shows Wind-Power Was Chief Culprit Of Texas Grid Collapse
Posted by freedomforall 3 years, 2 months ago to Politics
"Cascend Strategy writes that "in case there was any doubt why the Texas grid collapsed, the data is clear"
Wind failed as “Ice storms knocked out nearly half the wind-power generating capacity of Texas on Sunday as a massive deep freeze across the state locked up wind turbine generators, creating an electricity generation crisis."
Natural gas made up the difference for a while
But then everything else followed down.
Some more detail from Cascend which lays out the events of this week in sequence:
A massive cold snap drove demand for electricity well beyond normal levels
Wind power failed to deliver it’s expected power – almost 40% of expected power – in part due to lack of winterized wind turbines
The simple 5-step solution according to Cascend:
Winterize equipment
Require power reserve
Connect the Texas grid better
Add solar with storage (storage is key)
And add more natural gas
As some others have summarized the Texas disaster best...
It is sad and ironic that in a state known for its huge petroleum and natural gas resources, the lack of reliability of wind power has brought the state to its knees in a time of crisis, not unlike that which California experienced in 2020 during record heat where wind and solar power could not keep up with demand and was near collapse.
The folly of chasing renewable energy as a means of mitigating “climate change” is making itself abundantly clear today in Texas. When will politicians wake up and realize that renewable energy almost always equates to unreliable energy?"
My take:
Politicians will "wake up" when it is to their benefit, getting them more power and wealth, and not a microsecond sooner.
Politicians are parasites, almost without exception.
The sooner the People take back the power from the federal and state governments, the sooner free markets will efficiently provide ample power - economically via coal and nuclear.
Wind failed as “Ice storms knocked out nearly half the wind-power generating capacity of Texas on Sunday as a massive deep freeze across the state locked up wind turbine generators, creating an electricity generation crisis."
Natural gas made up the difference for a while
But then everything else followed down.
Some more detail from Cascend which lays out the events of this week in sequence:
A massive cold snap drove demand for electricity well beyond normal levels
Wind power failed to deliver it’s expected power – almost 40% of expected power – in part due to lack of winterized wind turbines
The simple 5-step solution according to Cascend:
Winterize equipment
Require power reserve
Connect the Texas grid better
Add solar with storage (storage is key)
And add more natural gas
As some others have summarized the Texas disaster best...
It is sad and ironic that in a state known for its huge petroleum and natural gas resources, the lack of reliability of wind power has brought the state to its knees in a time of crisis, not unlike that which California experienced in 2020 during record heat where wind and solar power could not keep up with demand and was near collapse.
The folly of chasing renewable energy as a means of mitigating “climate change” is making itself abundantly clear today in Texas. When will politicians wake up and realize that renewable energy almost always equates to unreliable energy?"
My take:
Politicians will "wake up" when it is to their benefit, getting them more power and wealth, and not a microsecond sooner.
Politicians are parasites, almost without exception.
The sooner the People take back the power from the federal and state governments, the sooner free markets will efficiently provide ample power - economically via coal and nuclear.
But the solution that is here and now is super-insulated structures, and nothing is ever done. Wouldn't want to cut energy industry profits.
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The Texas Electricity Disaster of February 2021, Why?
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Over the weekend, half of the wind generators failed. Their peak capability is 32,000MW, after the cold driven failures those remaining in operation were supplying about 900MW.
Gas and coal generation produced 54,600 MW, two to three times their normal winter peak. Loss of wind made little difference, power system planners never (should not) rely on wind, wind contributes power when there is wind, not when the customer wants it. Solar similar, panels were covered by snow. Planning does not rely on solar.
But then the cold got worse. Several coal and nuclear plants got cut as cooling water and fuel feed lines froze. That was the "100 year event", very unlikely, but it happened.
Then the real bad news, many gas transmission line compressors failed.
Fact. The Texas Clean Air Act required many of these facilities to convert from gas-powered to electricity, the electricity sourced from local wind generators. Many of these failed. There was no cover or back up from other energy sources, eg. diesel plant. Gas generation had been expanding not just to cover declines in wind and solar as normal, but to meet a very high increased heating demand. It now, due to the failed compressors, dramatically reduced.
There was a very small reduction in gas capacity from other cold problems eg. wet gas not flowing.
Without the sabotaging effective of the Clean Air Act, there would not have been a disaster but 'only' serious outages rotating to different districts.
That, was the bad planning, it was, as usual, political, not engineering.
Summary
Extreme unexpected cold caused failures in coal, nuclear and gas generating stations. All of that could have been handled, perhaps with local district outages.
The cause of the disaster was the failure of wind generating plant - not the contribution to the grid from wind as wind is not relied on, not being reliable. Wind and solar power sources are always (should be) covered by reliable power sources. It was the use of wind power in the gas pipeline compressors (not backed up or covered) that caused disaster.
Comments
The isolation of the Texas system- interconnection would not have helped in this case as neighbors were similarly affected having rolling brown/blackouts.
The use of energy storage such as batteries- This would have helped, not for power for customers since batteries are still not economical despite hype and subsides, but for emergency use on the much lower energy needs of the gas compressors. Note, batteries do not perform well at the low temperatures experienced in this event (they are best at 20 to 40 degC, down to half capability at 0degC), diesel and gasoline equipment would likely be better. Yes or no, the planning had not considered that question. Perhaps system planners can be allowed some credit in that they may have given credence to the 'experts' who had predicted global warming, the same who demanded wind powered compressors.
The three coal stations that were closed- If these had been operating they may have saved the day, it depends on whether the older equipment would have remained operating in the unexpected low temperatures.
From November 2012- It is well known that Texas is undergoing a major challenge in maintaining resource adequacy due to improper price signals; less well known is that a significant portion of the problem can be laid directly on the doorstep of subsidies for wind generation.
Also: Renewables do not make sense without the tax credit - Warren Buffet, big investor in renewables.
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Some refs, various viewpoints:
https://i.postimg.cc/tTc1tYnV/texas-G...
https://judithcurry.com/2021/02/18/as...
https://rbnenergy.com/perfect-storm-s...
https://www.masterresource.org/windpo...
https://www.instituteforenergyresearc...
https://www.instituteforenergyresearc...
https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-sp...
https://twitter.com/AlexEpstein/statu...
https://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook...
Especially, excellent views on: joannenova.com.au
Whatever government does, they do poorly, except, perhaps, covering up their larcenies.
This is exactly what expectantly occurs when we let the “feely” types make the rules.
Thanks Lucky, for pointing this out...
Most homes in US are poorly insulated compared to what is possible and economic, but home builders don't build based on what's best for buyers, but what's best for the builder (compared to his competition.) Extra cost of sensible (super)insulation will be a competitive disadvantage for the builder.
We could have been building super insulated homes for decades, but the most economic super insulated homes don't match with what brain-washed buyers feel they want. Make no mistake, it's demands by women that drive home building. So the costs go into expensive counter-tops, cabinets, lighting, fancy windows/doors, and flooring when the buyers have a higher budget. Lower energy bills just aren't in the irrational decision making process of home buyers. Women want "lots of windows" which is one of the worst possible things for energy efficiency.
The best super-insulated homes for the money that I have found are from American International Domes ( http://www.aidomes.com ). They have been selling these for 40 years and most of the hurricane coasts should have them for both energy economy and resistance to storm damages. Half the energy spent on cooling and heating structures is wasted unnecessarily. But women don't go for anything different from the brainwashing that traditional builders give them. Reduction in damages from storms (often paid by taxpayers to wealthy people on coastlines) would save hundreds of billions, and energy savings would save trillions. (Of course, that would also reduce the need for insurance - both federal and corporate - returning some self reliance to home owners and cutting into government meddling somewhat.) The return on investment would be massive to hard working people who deserve a fair chance instead of being ripped off by Wall St.
Want energy independence? Want to reduce carbon footprints? Super-insulate all the structures. It works whether the sun is shining or not, whether the wind is blowing or not.
Instead of handing out federal reserve notes, fund a new industry to retrofit structures and replace those not economic to retrofit. The net will be greater employment and a massive reduction in energy usage. New technologies created can revitalize American manufacturing.
Of course, this is not going to happen as long as form is infinitely more important than function to women.
Instead the feds give us billions wasted on solar power bankruptcies, wind generators that don't work in cold weather, and electric cars that only the elite can afford to buy. Oh, and richer, more powerful treasonous politicians.