3 ms·
Based on what I've read, my understanding is that the separate Texas grid and ERCOT exist because Texas politicians wanted (and still want) to avoid federal reg
by smaddox 6y ago
Based on what I've read, my understanding is that the separate Texas grid and ERCOT exist because Texas politicians wanted (and still want) to avoid federal regulation. The parts of Texas that were not on the separate Texas grid, i.e. El Paso didn't lose power.
Are you saying that the rest of the US does not have a power market with appropriate regulations? Because as far as I can tell, this crises could have been completely avoided if we didn't have our own isolated grid.
- 0xBDB 6y agoAs far as I can make out, this narrative is simply not true, at least not with regard to power generation. Texas is subject to the same NERC regulations as the rest of the U.S. and Canada. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Reliability_Entity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Reliability_Entity
- ceejayoz 6y agoThat they are subject to some regulations doesn't mean they're subject to all. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/21/us/texas-electricity-ercot-blackouts.html https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/21/us/texas-electricity-erco... > One example of how Texas has gone it alone is its refusal to enforce a “reserve margin” of extra power available above expected demand, unlike all other power systems around North America. With no mandate, there is little incentive to invest in precautions for events, such as a Southern snowstorm, that are rare. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deregulation_of_the_Texas_electricity_market https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deregulation_of_the_Texas_elec...
- 0xBDB 6y agoThis makes sense, though I'm still not sure I understand exactly how it works. Thanks!