ERCOT just declared EEA-2 at 1:13am local Texas time.
Ercot nearly at capacity for Texas power grid
221–230 of 597 posts
Re: Ercot nearly at capacity for Texas power grid
#222Earlier quoted context omitted.
Perhaps there is an unhappy middle temperature where ice forms more easily? I know some people from the northern US that moved to Texas and were mocking how slowly they drove in the snow. Until they had a close call and realized the barely freezing weather makes for worse ice sheets.
Central Texas has been getting a lot of freezing rain this weekend, as opposed to outright snow or sleet. I know this has caused a lot of power line and tree damage (because it causes water to cling to trees and freeze into ice, whereas snow doesn’t accumulate as much on trees). I would imagine freezing rain would have similar effects on wind turbines.
Austin TX here, it's the most bizarre thing I've seen. All trees, all objects, have a thin (couple mms) shell of clear ice. Evenly distributed all the way around, and then icicles on the bottom. It all appeared that first day (Thursday?) when we first had freezing temperatures and there was moderate rain at the same time. All of the trees are sagging, several branches have fallen just within the view of my house.
Re: Ercot nearly at capacity for Texas power grid
#223[deleted]
Re: Ercot nearly at capacity for Texas power grid
#224Here's their news release about it: http://www.ercot.com/news/releases/show/225151 That links to this PDF which describes their emergency procedures: http://www.ercot.com/content/wcm/lists/200198/EEA_OnePager_u... Basically, there are 3 levels of response: (1) Reserves below 2,300 MW: get more power, including from other grids. (2) Reserves below 1,750 MW: interrupt power to industrial customers (who've contractually…
edit: Took 15 minutes to go from Level 2 to 3.
"Energy conservation is critical. Rotating outages are underway to reduce demand on the electric system. We urge Texans to put safety first during this time. Traffic lights and other infrastructure may be temporarily without power. 01:25:40 150221"
https://nitter.42l.fr/ERCOT_ISO/status/1361215084010352644#m
(old stuff):
They just went into Level 2:
https://twitter.com/ERCOT_ISO/status/1361211669788176384
"has declared an EEA 2. Consumers are urged to reduce electricity use. Rotating outages may be needed to protect the system. 01:12:06 150221"
Not sure how much load-shedding is available at 1AM...
Re: Ercot nearly at capacity for Texas power grid
#225Can anyone with a voltmeter see if they've cut voltage to 110V or 115V?
Ontario Canada regularly does tests for 3% and 5% voltage reductions to see what the effect on demand is (and if the system even works):
https://www.energyplus.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=b37...
Re: Ercot nearly at capacity for Texas power grid
#226Here's their news release about it: http://www.ercot.com/news/releases/show/225151 That links to this PDF which describes their emergency procedures: http://www.ercot.com/content/wcm/lists/200198/EEA_OnePager_u... Basically, there are 3 levels of response: (1) Reserves below 2,300 MW: get more power, including from other grids. (2) Reserves below 1,750 MW: interrupt power to industrial customers (who've contractually…
edit: Took 15 minutes to go from Level 2 to 3. "Energy conservation is critical. Rotating outages are underway to reduce demand on the electric system. We urge Texans to put safety first during this time. Traffic lights and other infrastructure may be temporarily without power. 01:25:40 150221" https://nitter.42l.fr/ERCOT_ISO/status/1361215084010352644#m (old stuff): They just went into Level 2: https://twitter.com/E…
Manufacturing.
Re: Ercot nearly at capacity for Texas power grid
#227It's curious that the current tide of public opinion reckons that we're all going to be in EVs in 10-15 years, when the grid nearly collapses under the weight of everybody plugging in a heater and turning on Netflix at the same time.
Perhaps, in 10-15 years electricity output may increase along with demand?
Re: Ercot nearly at capacity for Texas power grid
#228Now at level 3: Situation Critical:
"has declared an EEA 3. Energy conservation is critical. Rotating outages are underway to reduce demand on the electric system. We urge Texans to put safety first during this time. Traffic lights and other infrastructure may be temporarily without power. 01:25:40 150221"
"Rotating outages primarily affect residential neighborhoods and small businesses and are typically limited to 10 to 45 minutes before being rotated to another location."
Re: Ercot nearly at capacity for Texas power grid
#229Re: Ercot nearly at capacity for Texas power grid
#230Here's their news release about it: http://www.ercot.com/news/releases/show/225151 That links to this PDF which describes their emergency procedures: http://www.ercot.com/content/wcm/lists/200198/EEA_OnePager_u... Basically, there are 3 levels of response: (1) Reserves below 2,300 MW: get more power, including from other grids. (2) Reserves below 1,750 MW: interrupt power to industrial customers (who've contractually…
edit: Took 15 minutes to go from Level 2 to 3. "Energy conservation is critical. Rotating outages are underway to reduce demand on the electric system. We urge Texans to put safety first during this time. Traffic lights and other infrastructure may be temporarily without power. 01:25:40 150221" https://nitter.42l.fr/ERCOT_ISO/status/1361215084010352644#m (old stuff): They just went into Level 2: https://twitter.com/E…
Rolling blackouts in effect now. https://twitter.com/ERCOT_ISO/status/1361215084010352644?s=2...