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I was wondering why Texas keep coming up when new US fabs a being talked about. From an outsider it just looks like the low energy cost comes from failing to pr
by mrweasel 5y ago
I was wondering why Texas keep coming up when new US fabs a being talked about. From an outsider it just looks like the low energy cost comes from failing to properly manage and upgrade the Texas energy grid.
- megaman821 5y agoThe Texas grid has been diversified and transmission upgraded. The problem is that it hasn't been winterized. While this is costly, I doubt this is the main reason why prices are low. Texas has a large, cheap supply of natural gas and good areas for both wind and solar.
- Robotbeat 5y agoThe energy prices are low because Texas has tons of oil and gas and wind. The energy grid is actually more efficiently managed than California, which has had similar problems with electricity supply. But the main reason Texas comes up is it has a very long history in semiconductors with a big workforce and lots of semiconductor companies.
- posguy 5y agoEfficiency in electrical grids can often be counterproductive to reliability. It is economically efficient to not winterize your generation capacity or build longhaul electrical transport infrastructure to move electricity regionally, but without these rarely used elements you could end up with severe load shedding or a black start event.
- Robotbeat 5y agoClearly. Texas needs winterization. But of course, you can be both economically inefficient AND unreliable. California is one such example.