4.2 Million Texans Without Power

When we purchased our Condo, it came with 2 sets of single windows in each spot. After a couple of years, we replaced the windows with double paned windows with nitrogen gas between the panes. We then checked the attic and found about 4 inches of insulation. We blew in insulation to R54 in the attic. At 0 C (32 F), we can have the heat off and still maintain 20 C (68 F). Cost us about $3600 for the windows, installed by ourselves and 500 to blow in insulation, once gain, by ourselves.

 

That seems strange, it was -40 last week and our natural gas was working just fine....

 

Usually that issue is caused by moisture trapped in various couplings and meters, the moisture freezes halting or diminishing the flow

 

Areas that are used to low temperatures use systems that are prepared to handle them. This includes the natural gas.

 

Places that regularly see cold weather have to build weatherproof power plants. Texas so far sees these temps once a decade. They chose to save money. and have lower utility bills. (As did many individual Texans who depend solely on electricity for heat and survival versus having a fireplace, generator or other source of heat). The blackouts get hyped by the news for several reasons-humanitarian, political and shock value.
Patrick

 

You would think so but wrong... Lets take 3 regions. the great cold north ,,, The hot summer nights of the south...., Then we have the PNW.. Here the PNW its a area of mild winters and summers... Although I've seen temps right here at my house of as low as 0 degrees all the way up to 109... This last week I got 12inches of snow. with a low of 30. Which is basically average little bit more snow but anyways, Nothing failed.. All the systems worked..... Here its wind & trees that take out the power.. Natural Gas still flows... Even at the 0 degree winter, & no electrical black outs when it hit 109.....

 

Wind turbines have no issues with cold weather, if you install the right models. Same goes with natural gas, cola, and nuclear plants -- spend more to weather-proof them, and this whole mess would never have happened.

Yes, cheaping out on both capacity margin and cold proofing did result in lower power bills, but by how much? i rather suspect it will turn out to be like Ford engineers saving $11 on their gas tank design..

In any event, it is not like Texas has the lowest electricity prices around anyway -- 18 states have lower rates. The Texas power companies haven't passed some big savings on to consumers -- they have just reaped big profits by taking shortcuts.

 

Wind turbines work fine here...

 

The wind stopped blowing in region = No wind = wind grinder dont spin = no power....

Solar panels Covered with Ice & snow = No sunlight = no power

The River drys up do to lack of rain = no water at the hydroelectric dam = no power.. Yes it happens..

 

Nuclear best option....but really not good if you get catastrophic failure! And unfortunately it can and will happen.....

 

Again Wind & solar equipment is cheap disposable.. Just like the Semi Truck.. Just like your daily mode of transportation... Lucky the truck & DMT are almost fully renewable... With what happened this month many of the panels & wind grinder are toast.. They are going to be scraped.... What happens to the scrap. Its all toxic....

Lets look Metal body car comes back in a new form of a something... Corvette body land fill..... What are these solar panels made of raw ingredients they are made from are more toxic than asbestos & agent orange combined...

The Body of the wind turbine are a form of fiberglass. again land fill.. just like the corvette body....

 

"Can't we just have one apocalyse at a time?" -- Trevor Noah

 

ROTFLMAO.. You admit to listening to it...

 

http://gis.centerpointenergy.com/outagetracker/

 

I've not read or heard that there was any permanent or otherwise irreparable damage to the turbines or solar panels.

 

Pool froze over, never thought I'd see that. Though my mothers did back in the late seventies when I was a kid so it isn't unprecedented.


Neighborhood pretty blanketed.

We lost power in Monday am about 3 or so and went about 36 hrs with out. I figured it would come back on as I actually believed the "rolling blackouts" the news was spouting. But after checking in with others in the area, it became pretty clear the power was OUT and it coming back on wasn't certain. The weather forecast called for more snow and freezing temps so out to the garage we went and dug out the generator before it got dark on Monday afternoon. We have two suburbans with 40 gallon tanks and other vehicles incase we needed to siphon, but I had a five gallon jug of gas so we used that first. I dug out two other jugs and two one gallon jugs for tues and we ventured out to get more gas in case this went longer. We had run out of gas by the time we got back from the gas and pizza run on tues am. but the power still wasn't on and didn't come back on until 3 or so, then went back off until about 7pm. But fortunately it has been on since though the temps are still below freezing and pipes are leaking all over town as they powers that be issued a boil your water warning. Was glad I stocked up on bottled water and the wife had the forethought to fill several vessels with water on Monday am when the power first went off.

It is an act of God and I'm glad we were somewhat prepared. I had gotten up early sunday am to prepare for work. Looked out side and it seemed cold but no precipitation yet, But by the time I showered and prepared lunch and was headed out at 3:10 am it was really coming down. So we made the decision to call in and tell them I wasn't coming. Boss said it wasn't snowing near him but I was firm and told him it wasn't going to get better and that I wasn't coming. They made the good decision to call off Sunday also and ended up doing the act of God clause for Monday and Tues also . I'm off on wed n thurs but boss did call yesterday to inquire about Friday. I told him if roads were clear I'd be there but will be getting up early in the am and looing over the roads and news before setting out . Just not enough upside for me to go out and tear up a vehicle when the temps next week will be in the 60s and roads will be fine.

Bottom line, I hope everyone played safe and is playing it safe. nothing is guaranteed. Maybe this will help others get prepared for the next event. Just like the ants movie and the grasshoppers. Seems like we have way too many grasshoppers and they think the govt is going to save them.


Car got a blanket


Eight horse Honda powered 4k watt Baldor. Well worth the extra coin when you want it to actually start and run. Only the second time we have had it out and needed it. But I ran it dry last time. This time fueled it up and checked the oil, gave it some pulls, Realized I needed to turn the kill switch to on and it started on the third pull then.

 

Neither have I.... There will be. They just haven't got around to accessing the total damage.

 

Also it's well known that they still produce power when they are snow covered...

 

How on gods green earth would you if those pictures are real......Would you stake your life on it.. I would not...