In February 2021, Texas majorly suffered from a power grid failure. Across the state, residents were without electricity, heat, and water. Where we had gotten to enjoy the snow just weeks before, this incident quite literally took everyone by storm. A report by The University of Texas at Austin found that there was an estimated $20 billion worth of insured losses. As we make our way back into the colder months, there is a considerable amount of tension among homeowners over whether they have done enough to handle another round. Let’s get into what Austin custom home builders, like Bat City Builders, could do for you so that you can have a clear conscience.
The History of the Texas Power Grid
Back when the rest of our nation was regulating companies to ensure equitability of energy, Texas took another route. The United States power grid was then divided between the Eastern Interconnection, the Western Interconnection, and the Texas Interconnected System. There used to be two entities in the Texas system, one for the north and one for the south. At the turn of the 20th century, we saw the merger of big Texas power companies. A market-based industry for electricity delivery was born. This resulted in those privatized companies competing against one another. In 1970, following a major blackout in the Northeast, the power authority of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) was formed. This agency produces 90% of the Texas population’s power, including the urban load center of Austin.
Cause of the February 2021 Blackouts
When you go at anything alone, there are vulnerabilities you must be aware of. If you have lived in Texas for most of your life, you are well aware that we rarely experience snow. Instead, we are used to winters that oftentimes feel more like spring. The power demands typically peak during the summer with the excessive use of cooling systems. When temperatures plummeted in February, homeowners were turning on their mostly-electric heaters at a rate that alarmed the system. Because the wind and gas supplies in Texas weren’t built for severe winter weather, they were unable to function properly. Natural gas power plant systems were completely frozen over. With over half of Texas’s power coming from natural gas, this was a major problem.
Things the State Can Do to Prevent More Failures
Texas is a state that more and more people are flocking to. Therefore, more attention needs to be placed on the burdens to the grid brought about by the growing population. In order to solve the grid problem, Texas needs to diversify its power sources. This creates a reliable supply of energy. It has been made clear that, by depending too much on gas, you risk price volatility and shortages. To take more active preventative measures, there has been a considerable amount of dialogue over mandatory electric reliability standards for utilities. Despite not having jurisdiction over ERCOT, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) revised the standards to include the retrofit of existing units to operate at specific weather conditions and the corrective plans to help those that suffer through outages.
The Rise of Renewable Energy Sources
Today, 26% of the world’s electricity is made up of renewable energy. This is only projected to increase in the coming years. On account of rising environmental concerns, homeowners have a growing interest in ridding themselves of their dependence on nonrenewable energy sources. As the most widely used form of renewable energy, hydropower accounts for 54% of the global renewable power generation capacity. Solar energy, however, is an option that Austin custom home builders recommend you consider in your Texas home. While hydropower requires you to live in a certain location, the sun is more predictable and offers greater freedom. One pro tip is that you should use 80% of your maximum energy during the month that you bring in the least energy.
What Home Builders Offer for the Future
Have a plan in place. Even if we don’t face the same frightful weather this winter, becoming more energy-efficient will benefit your daily life in many aspects. Set your house up for success with the help of Austin custom home builders who can effectively shield you from power outages. Bat City Builders recommends Longhorn Solar, an industry leader in renewable energy. They provide Austin area homes with solar panels and battery backup systems. Solar power systems are advantageous because they are environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions. The addition of a battery backup will reduce your grid reliance, therefore optimizing your solar power consumption.
With the help of construction experts and home builders, you can create a house that is capable of pulling back on your need for the Texas grid system. Power outages can happen due to natural causes, overload, and human error, so you should be ready to combat them at any time of the year. Let’s talk more about how Bat City Builders can help you make your home safe from any future power-related disasters.
Photos, in order of appearance, by:
- Carlos Alfonso on Unsplash
- Alexander Popov on Unsplash
- Los Muertos Crew on Pexels