It’s February in Texas, and an Arctic cold front is moving toward North Texas. These conditions, combined with the inability of the Legislature to adopt common protective regulations in other states, resulted last year in the breakdown of the electric grid, widespread blackouts and up to seven hundred deaths. What about this year? Although not as severe, there are still reasons to be concerned.
- February Freeze Is Coming. Will The Texas Grid Fail Again?
A large blackout in Texas will require that there is a high demand for electricity. Power plants can trip off-line because they are not ready for cold weather or because they cannot get enough fuel from their gas suppliers.
The bad news is that the state’s grid operator, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas is currently anticipating record-setting demand. ERCOT’s latest forecast, which is based on weather forecasts and the expected rise in power usage, projects that demand will exceed 71.2 gigawatts by Friday morning at 8:15 a.m. This prediction was made just six hours before the blackouts.
The good news is that there will likely be enough power generation to keep us warm this winter. ERCOT chief Brad Jones stated Tuesday that the grid has been more reliable over the past year. ERCOT data shows that it is prepared for the storm. If it uses all of its power generators and pulls out all the stops, it should have 81.1 megawatts. This would be enough to weather it. According to Jim Wright, Texas railroad commissioner, it can also pay some industrial users to turn off as necessary and has substantial gas storage.
What happens if power stations go offline because of frozen turbine blades, frozen coal piles, iced-over air conduits or a lack of gas from pipeline systems that haven’t been winterized? ERCOT could have to issue blackouts again if the grid uses up its reserves quickly. Natural gas, which is used for 45.5 percent of state electricity generation, will continue to flow. That might not be the best option. One month ago, January 2, there was a mild winter in West Texas that caused some problems in the Permian Basin’s gas infrastructure. According to S&P Global, market intelligence firm S&P Global, gas production dropped by 25%.
Texans can feel confident that the grid and electric generation fleet are ready to supply power. All-electric generation and transmission owners must make substantial winterization improvements.
ERCOT will submit a final weatherization report to the PUC on Jan. 18 and it will also conduct follow-up inspections of the power generation facilities and transmission facilities.
In June, the Texas Legislature increased the maximum penalty for violating weatherization laws to $1,000,000 per violation per day. This was in response to the February winter storm that decimated the state. The storm that struck Texas in February caused hundreds of deaths and left millions without power for several days. Indirect and direct losses, the storm cost the state $80 billion to $130 billion.
2.Tips On How To Prepare For A Power Outage In The Winter
We all know how crucial it is to be prepared in case of a power cut. Power lines can be damaged by heavy snow, sleet and ice, as well as wind. The furnace and boiler also go out if the electricity is lost. There are ways to prevent the situation from becoming an emergency. Learn how to prepare for a winter power cut. We have your winter power outage survival guide. Continue reading to learn how to prepare for a winter power cut, what to do during it and how to recover electricity after it has ended.
To make it less severe for your family and yourself, you need to prepare for a winter power outage. Here are some steps and winter storm necessities you can gather before it happens.
Winterize Your Home
You won’t have much heating options if you don’t have power. It’s crucial to ensure that your home retains as much heat as possible. Weatherize your house for winter to prepare it for the cold.
Weatherizing your home to prepare for winter storm power outages can be as simple and affordable as adding weatherstripping to doors and windows, or installing draft guards. You also have the option to upgrade your entryway with an energy-efficient door. These strategies can help your house retain heat without heating or electricity.
Stock Up On Food And Water
You should prioritize food and water during winter storms. A blackout is when the power goes out completely. This is what differentiates a brownout from a complete blackout. If the weather is severe enough to cause a prolonged power outage then the food in your fridge and freezer will not spoil if they are kept cold enough.
You will need to buy bottled water if you are concerned that your tap water might not be safe during a blackout. One person requires approximately one gallon of water per day. This does not include water for cooking or washing. So make sure to buy enough for yourself and your family.
Get A Portable Generator
A portable generator that is energy-efficient and efficient can be a great backup in case of a power cut. While you won’t have enough power to run your entire house, you can still use a few of your appliances (like a refrigerator) and charge your phone.
Portable generators are powered by propane or gasoline. You will need to have some fuel on hand, but keep it safe and away from your home. Because the gas generator’s exhaust is toxic, it should be kept at least 15 feet away from your home.
Block Any Drafts From Entering Your Home
You can lose heat through gaps between and under doors and windows, apart from those that are open. It is important to seal any gaps you find, especially in the area you spend most of your time. You can temporarily fix this problem by wrapping towels or blankets around the base of doors and windows.
Reliant Energy costs can rise due to drafty windows and doors. It is worth it to inspect your home for any air leaks and seal them more permanently once things have settled down.
Look For Broken Or Damaged Piping
Extreme winter and extreme cold can cause severe power outages. Some water pipes can freeze in cold temperatures without central heating. Water pipe damage can be seen in the form of water pooling under pipes, water damage to walls, floors and ceilings, low water pressure and faucets that stop working.
Turn off your water supply to your home’s main shutoff valve if you suspect your pipes may be frozen. Call a plumber immediately. Warm air from a blow-dryer can be used to melt frozen pipes. However, it is important that you are not in standing water as you may get electrocuted. To thaw pipes, never use an open flame.
Call Your Utility Or Call 911 In Case Of Immediate Danger
Your utility in Texas must know the exact time and location of an outage immediately after it occurs. You can call your utility’s designated number to report a power cut and inform them if there are any other dangers or downed power lines. This is a critical procedure for businesses or households to report a power outage. It allows the utility to respond quickly to any dangers.
Bottom Line
How to prepare for a winter power cut in Texas can make a huge difference in how comfortable and warm you are while you wait for it to turn back on. It is not something anyone wants to do without central heating in the coldest months. But disasters do happen. When it happens, you will be happier knowing you and your family have everything you need.