Texas Cold Weather Discussion

[Dusty Stevens]

If a person is to believe TV reports...It appears most Texas power plants are not built to operate in cold weather. Simply put...They are not insulated enough. Hang in there, folks!

I can attest to that having been in most of them. About 18deg is as low as they will go, some even higher like 25deg. The operators did very good if they kept them online

 

[jelenko]

How many people are without power at this point?
ERCOT's outage page says 453K - but news reports say millions.

 

[Adam in WI]

I can attest to that having been in most of them. About 18deg is as low as they will go, some even higher like 25deg. The operators did very good if they kept them online

What's the failure point in these conditions?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

What's the failure point in these conditions?

Transmitters with wet legs freezing

 

[SGK]

Failure point: having an island typology with no national grid/connectivity to other States with working infrastructure and (sometimes) excess power production?

(I hear they have power in Cancun...)

 

[pirate ammo]

I hear they have power in Cancun...)

And I don't blame the man. He didn't tell you to stay home under lockdown did he, buy yourself a ticket
and go .

 

[joshb]

Failure point: having an island typology with no national grid/connectivity to other States with working infrastructure and (sometimes) excess power production?

(I hear they have power in Cancun...)

That’s because Cancun is owned by ruthless drug lords. You screw up.....they kill you!

 

[rwj]

Transmitters with wet legs freezing

So the good operators were the ones that knew how to safely operate the plant in “manual” mode? Bless them and give them a raise!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

So the good operators were the ones that knew how to safely operate the plant in “manual” mode? Bless them and give them a raise!

Not only that but the ones building shanty shacks and refueling salamander heaters in the spots they know will freeze their whole shift. I still have night terrors over it

 

[jbarron]

Energy Talking Points - Texas Electricity Crisis

There is a lot of conflicting "information" about the TX blackouts. Here's the bottom line: the root cause of the TX blackouts is a national and state policy that has prioritized the adoption of unreliable wind/solar energy over reliable energy.

energytalkingpoints.com

 

[KMart]

Transmitters with wet legs freezing

That is basically the same thing that kills the petrochemical plants. Without working instrumentation, interlocks kick in shuts the whole place down. Then the fun begins.

 

[1911nut]

So Cruz fled the winter crapfest for Cancun then couldn’t take the heat so he flew back, huh?

 

[X-Caveman]

I learned a few things during this highly unusual weather event...

• Have a generator, fuel and a few space heaters - even a little 2K one will make a huge difference
• Have propane bottles and a Mr Heater (not inside, obviously)
• lots of lanterns, flashlights & batteries
• Buy drinking water a week out (at least)
• Don't have the instant water heaters- the input lines freeze, rendering them useless
• PEX lines in the attic or joists are a bad idea
• Water heaters in the attic - even worse idea
• Gas powered fireplaces, water heaters, stove tops are nice
• In home water-based fire suppression systems cause more damage than they are likely to ever save
• Brand new homes are no better than my 16yr old one - at least not the ones my friends have bought recently.
• Those who were at least somewhat prepared & stayed and fought it out are having much better outcomes than the unprepared that had flee. It's worth the effort.
• Friends & family are willing to help. Don't be too proud to ask, or too selfish to offer.
• Your pool is screwed. Put it out of your mind for now.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

So Cruz fled the winter crapfest for Cancun then couldn’t take the heat so he flew back, huh?

Wonder how many other folks left or would have left if they could?

 

[1911nut]

Wonder how many other folks left or would have left if they could?

I woulda left but I’m not a government official of Texas

 

[butchlambert]

So Cruz fled the winter crapfest for Cancun then couldn’t take the heat so he flew back, huh?

I don't think so! That is my opinion. I don't like yours, but respect your right to espouse it.

 

[D Coots]

All these states closing down coal and nuke plants will realize their mistakes in the long run. My state also.

 

[pirate ammo]

I don't think so! That is my opinion. I don't like yours, but respect your right to espouse it.

I'm glad for him myself. Do not say you wouldn't fly south for the winter when thousands do the same thing
every winter in normal times. Damn snowbirds. Butch, I'm talking about the other guy.

 

[geralton4]

This is why i always have a backup generator. I have a big one now and whenever things like this happens i would at least have 14 hrs of power per day. Always been prepared people.

 

[jackieschmidt]

Well, we have power back.
No water yet. the water is on, but I had turned mine off at the meter Monday when it got to 25. I tried to drain the pipes. But today I rigged up a pressure test with my compressor to see if my pipes would hold pressure. I closed every valve and faucet in the house, even the little one to the ice maker.

No pressure Build up. The compressor gage just sat on zero. I went in the attic, trying to hear any air running. No luck. No signs of water anywhere either.

There must be a split in a pipe somewhere. I just can’t find it.

I will get a plumber in and see if he can find a broke pipe.

Over the past four days, I was able to catch about 75 gallons of snow melt and rain water in big plastic containers we used to move a few months back. That will keep the toilets flushing. We have about 8 cases of bottled water. So I will wait on the plumber and not dare turn the water back on. I have no water damage now, we will just have to rough it out untill we are sure about the plumbing.