Part of EnergyBiz® Network »

Utility Management Group

Senior decision-makers come together to connect around strategies and business trends affecting utilities.

Post

Texas Energy Challenge

Patrick Regan's picture
Patrick Regan 62
Sr Director, Power Market, Evoqua Water Technologies

Executive with proven track record leading teams in both industrial and municipal global markets. Over 23 years of experience in water and energy industries. Focus on understanding...

  • Member since 2021
  • 3 items added with 430 views
  • Feb 17, 2021
  • 430 views

Texas has one of the most advanced and progressive energy systems in the country, but why are most Texans sitting in the dark in freezing temperatures? Is it the by-product of an independent grid? The downside of a competitive energy market?

Here are a couple of articles that might help you better understand. And if you prefer, check out this morning's The Daily podcast which gives the usual NYT analysis.

Texas’ power grid crumples under the cold | Ars Technica

Why does Texas have its own power grid? | The Texas Tribune

Discussions
Matt Chester's picture
Matt Chester on Feb 17, 2021

Thanks for the links, Patrick-- do you think we yet have the information to identify the real cause, or is some of that still developing? Curious to hear your take!

Patrick Regan's picture
Patrick Regan on Feb 19, 2021

I think there will be a debate on the root cause for some time. But you can't dispute that a generating base that prioritizes low cost versus reliability is part of the root cause. 

Jim Stack's picture
Jim Stack on Feb 19, 2021

I've read the utilities were advised after the last storm to invest in winterization and they did nothing. The NG shortage made a bad situation much worse. Do you thing those are the 2 key issues for this storm?  

Patrick Regan's picture
Patrick Regan on Feb 19, 2021

Winterization is certainly part of it. Coupled with a lack of redundancy provided from national interconnections left the grid exposed. I can't speak to a shortage of NG, but if power supply is compromised then anything that requires power to run (from NG to water) is going to feel the pressure ... or suffer from a lack of it if you know what I mean. 

Patrick Regan's picture
Thank Patrick for the Post!
Energy Central contributors share their experience and insights for the benefit of other Members (like you). Please show them your appreciation by leaving a comment, 'liking' this post, or following this Member.
More posts from this member

Get Published - Build a Following

The Energy Central Power Industry Network is based on one core idea - power industry professionals helping each other and advancing the industry by sharing and learning from each other.

If you have an experience or insight to share or have learned something from a conference or seminar, your peers and colleagues on Energy Central want to hear about it. It's also easy to share a link to an article you've liked or an industry resource that you think would be helpful.

                 Learn more about posting on Energy Central »

Your access to Member Features is limited.

Apply for membership
Energy Central Jobs
Featured Jobs
More Jobs