Texas Fall/Winter thread!

[cqaigy2]

First off, im not a Texas hater or a windmill proponent, im not particularly fond of the looks of them in scenic view areas they're worse then those huge transmission lines coming off the dams. I think there is very good tech available for Nuc plants.

I've got relatives in both the El Paso and San Antonio areas. I'm especially concerned about a cousin in San Antonio who recently lost her husband. I'm very worried about her and have been in contact both with her and family in the area. The ones in El Paso seemed to be weather things in pretty good shape.

What I hope doesn't happen is the everyone just sticks their heads back in the sand and say it's the so called renewables that are the problem. For Texas, i find anywhere from 25 to 10% of the power on the Texas grid is renewables, by far the most generational capacity lost has been Nuc, and NG facilities. Part of which is from the loss of supply. Some of it from weather related problem.

But if we just say, oh, its because of the renewables or throw up our hands because it's just unusual bad weather and don't try to figure out if anything can be done so that in the future we don't have as big a problem, well i don't think that helps anyone.


I do hope they actually look at the breakdowns and make a rational assessment and as much as possible, keep the politics out of the decisions on what can be done, if anything.

When we first moved to our current place, we didn't realize how often we would lose power. We learned from those outages, i got a generator and installed it, then i got a woodstove and installed that and bought a freezer to store more food, setup the well. Our worst year was no power for over two weeks, along with secondary roads being blocked for a week. I really got a lot of use out of my chainsaw that year and lots of firewood, but i didn't throw up my hands and say oh, unusual bad weather or oh, its the renewables fault.

 

[rswyan]

I've got relatives in both the El Paso and San Antonio areas. I'm especially concerned about a cousin in San Antonio who recently lost her husband. I'm very worried about her ...

As someone who has both extended family and children of friends living in Texas - including two that have recently had COVID-19 - we have similar worries and concerns here as well.

What I hope doesn't happen is the everyone just sticks their heads back in the sand and say it's the so called renewables that are the problem. For Texas, i find anywhere from 25 to 10% of the power on the Texas grid is renewables, by far the most generational capacity lost has been Nuc, and NG facilities. Part of which is from the loss of supply. Some of it from weather related problem.

But if we just say, oh, its because of the renewables or throw up our hands because it's just unusual bad weather and don't try to figure out if anything can be done so that in the future we don't have as big a problem, well i don't think that helps anyone.

I do hope they actually look at the breakdowns and make a rational assessment and as much as possible, keep the politics out of the decisions on what can be done, if anything.

Well said ... :thumbsup:

 

[lostcreekranch]

Prior to this week .. the longest power outage we've ever had was less than an hour, in duration.

Even during Hurricane Harvey .. our power never went off once.

Our power is generally reliable but .. I'm glad we've got northern experts using their "GOOGLERS" to point out all our shortcomings.

Maybe these "big brains" can show us how to get new power generation, of any source "fast tracked" to completion?

 

[weldingisfun]

Here is an example of the weather that is hovering over Texas. We are halfway between Austin and Waco. Last night we had ice/sleet dumped on top of this.

 

[Bird]

The longest power outage we've ever experienced was 6 hours the morning we were getting ready to go to my father's funeral. 11/7/1996.

We are currently experiencing the longest spell I can remember of sub-freezing weather. Thousands without power, and "rolling 15 to 45 minute blackouts" almost everywhere, plus thousands without power for long terms.

And while the rolling blackouts are being forecast for us, so far we have not lost power at all, but we expect that to change.

TXU Energy, our electric provider, sends a weekly email for current usage for this billing period and an estimate of the total cost of the next bill if we continue at the current rate. The one this morning estimates the next bill at a little over $500. The highest bill we've ever had was just over $200 and that was for cooling in the summer.:laughing:

 

[Industrial Toys]

Not a scientific observation by any means. But it always irked me, that Driving by some of Ontario (Canada) windfarms on the coldest days of the year, they were dead stopped!

All while, "THEY" systematically blew up our steam plants. I REALLY could use some GLOBAL WARNING right about now! I say that tongue in cheek.

But while you are sitting in the dark, ask yourself this. Do you think your Elected Leaders are also sitting in the dark?

 

[riptides]

Prior to this week .. the longest power outage we've ever had was less than an hour, in duration.

Even during Hurricane Harvey .. our power never went off once.

Our power is generally reliable but .. I'm glad we've got northern experts using their "GOOGLERS" to point out all our shortcomings.

Maybe these "big brains" can show us how to get new power generation, of any source "fast tracked" to completion?

Well if you applied some intelligent thought to the issues, instead of ramming home your distaste for renewables, maybe others would not chime in to show you the fallacy of your ways. When a decent discussion comes along and you don't agree with it, you ruffle your feathers and get all bent out of shape like you just did, above.

Sorry your having a bad time of it, maybe you can apply some lessons learned to the rest of the conversation.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Well if you applied some intelligent thought to the issues, instead of ramming home your distaste for renewables, maybe others would not chime in to show you the fallacy of your ways. When a decent discussion comes along and you don't agree with it, you ruffle your feathers and get all bent out of shape like you just did, above.

Sorry your having a bad time of it, maybe you can apply some lessons learned to the rest of the conversation.

I tried to simply point out that relying solely on "green / renewable" power was foolish.

We really don't need outside "experts" to point out the many shortcomings of our present power sources .. during a once in a generation weather event .. we're already painfully aware.

BTW .. Please feel free to not read .. anything I post .. ever. You'll not hurt my feelings.

 

[Bird]

The longest power outage we've ever experienced was 6 hours the morning we were getting ready to go to my father's funeral. 11/7/1996.

We are currently experiencing the longest spell I can remember of sub-freezing weather. Thousands without power, and "rolling 15 to 45 minute blackouts" almost everywhere, plus thousands without power for long terms.

And while the rolling blackouts are being forecast for us, so far we have not lost power at all, but we expect that to change.

TXU Energy, our electric provider, sends a weekly email for current usage for this billing period and an estimate of the total cost of the next bill if we continue at the current rate. The one this morning estimates the next bill at a little over $500. The highest bill we've ever had was just over $200 and that was for cooling in the summer.:laughing:

We finally started our turn with the power outages. Our power went off at 11:13 a.m. for one hour and one minute I think, and then came back on. It can do that several times a day and not hurt us.

 

[Buppies]

Interesting what is being said here or not

The infrastructure in this country is falling apart has been for years bridges past their useful life, storm water sewer needing major upgrades distribution lines not up to snuff for delivery of electricity oil and gas lines needing replaced. I see no plan to upgrade only put money somewhere else to placate constituents

Instead of complaining criticizing others become one who tries to correct our problems not the one who becomes apart of the problem. Most here are older and know better lead by example, it can be amazing what we can accomplish

 

[Doofy]

Stay Safe out there!

 

[rswyan]

We finally started our turn with the power outages. Our power went off at 11:13 a.m. for one hour and one minute I think, and then came back on. It can do that several times a day and not hurt us.

Bird,

I hope they stay short duration and not many in number.

Stay safe.

 

[bindian]

Not a scientific observation by any means. But it always irked me, that Driving by some of Ontario (Canada) windfarms on the coldest days of the year, they were dead stopped!

All while, "THEY" systematically blew up our steam plants. I REALLY could use some GLOBAL WARNING right about now! I say that tongue in cheek.

But while you are sitting in the dark, ask yourself this. Do you think your Elected Leaders are also sitting in the dark?

Texas wind farms supply 21% of our power, so I am told. During the winter, this is not the case. Texas winds slim down lots in the winter. The South Texas nuclear plant shut down for 36 hours just as this storm hit. Numerous natural gas plants could not get gas because the transmission lines froze and they shut down.

Back during Hurricane Ike, I was without power for 7 days. During Harvey, we never lost power. The last hurricanes of 2020 that ripped into La, had us in blackout and our power was fed to La via Entergy's lines, as their system overlaps the state line.

Our power was out 21 hours starting last Monday. I would call the outage line and SHECO told me three different times power would be restored. They didn't even know (when I finally got to talk to a live person) if our outage was from downed lines or rolling blackouts. TV news said rolling blackouts would be 45 minutes to an hour. Not 21 hours.

The thing is..............like the photo of the hovering helicopter spraying glycol on wind generator blades..............ice causes imbalances and the wind generators go into auto shutdown, before the blades are destroyed. Guess they don't have anti ice measures (like aircraft propellor blades have) to get by as cheap as possible. Power companies did not do ERCOT's recommended winter safeguards. They didn't want the expense. Well, they got blood on their hands now. Heads need to roll. ERCOT has too many board members not living in Texas. This is not acceptable.

Add to all this outage is it takes out water pumps. After freezing two nights without water, it was nice to wash my hair with hot water this morning.

I am fed up with the blackouts. I am getting a whole house generator. Neighbor got whole house solar last summer. I cringe seeing the 4 inch blanket of snow while thinking of that snow covering the panels.
hugs, Brandi

 

[bindian]

Bird,

I hope they stay short duration and not many in number.

Stay safe.

I got a friend in Houston that is in his THIRD rolling blackout now. I got a friend in Magnolia, Texas that has been without power for 36 hours. The problem is we don't know if it is a rolling blackout or lines down. The whole time we were without power, we could look across the back of my property and see the power on. This all just stinks. We need to build more natural gas power plants. Texas has tons and tons of natural gas.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Industrial Toys]

Neighbor farm sold a week ago. Has Solar Panels with some Government Sweetheart "Green" Program that my old deceased friend arranged. Panels have been under snow maybe since christmas. At least, as a taxpayer, I know they didn't get paid several times the going rate for power during that time. lol

 

[txdon]

I have a small Yamaha generator but its no use starting it. Our rolling black outs are 2 hours on 2 hours off, very workable. When the lights go on we jump into action, when they go off we hibernate. Water pressure is remaining stable. My mom's electricity is rolling on and off every 15 minutes.

 

[bindian]

I have a small Yamaha generator but its no use starting it. Our rolling black outs are 2 hours on 2 hours off, very workable. When the lights go on we jump into action, when they go off we hibernate. Water pressure is remaining stable. My mom's electricity is rolling on and off every 15 minutes.

How is she doing? Have Y'all adjusted to urban life?
hugs, Brandi

 

[txdon]

How is she doing? Have Y'all adjusted to urban life?
hugs, Brandi

She is doing fine, had her second covid shot 2 weeks ago.
I found where they hid the tractors out here, so I get my tractor fix. The county is opening a new 1300 acre park next month and for the last year the neighborhood trail crew is working the trails there and here. My organic raised bed garden is producing well. All is good.

 

[check 6]

we have had rolling black outs since Monday unscheduled but lasting only 45 minutes to an hour. Also had no water on Monday. Power went off at 4:30 this morning and came back on around 3 this afternoon ... house did get cold. Outside roads are clear, got the driveway shoveled and snow is melting but they are forecasting more winter tonight. Hope they are wrong. Have a large limb that partially broke off but will leave it until it warms and the yard dries out. Im just east of San Antonio and there are folks in San Antonio that have not had power since Sunday... so much for green energy. everyone stay warm and safe THIS IS NOT TEXAS WEATHER

 

[bcp]

View attachment 686671

Same photo of a helicopter spraying hot water on turbine on the first page of this 2016 PDF from Europe.

https://energiforskmedia.blob.core....wind-turbines-energiforskrapport-2016-300.pdf

Bruce