For some reason or another we have “turned” a blind eye on our power grids taking advantage of it fulling without thinking. It’s takes a crisis such as the polar vortex affect in February to shed some light on power grids. It’s easy not to think about the actual system. We think of power grids as actual individual city operating grids. Not a vast cross country infrastructure.
Since our ignorance towards has gone on for so long, we have just recently just started to add clean renewable energy to our grid spastically. Trying to off set the old dependable fossil fuel plants we know today. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, As of 2016 we relied on 30% coal, 34% natural gas, and 20% nuclear power. In total, a 86% in polluted power. Versus , 6 % wind and 1% solar,
Our power grids system are outdated and inefficient. Do to our lack of attention of our power grid we continued to allow our grid to run on fossil fuel and increased global warming. It is significantly dated. Along with a hodgepodge of fragmented upgrades. Making our power grids almost obsolete for our time.
So, when a crisis hit’s it shouldn’t be a surprise that an outdated the power grid failed in Texas, it became a hot topic due to the fact that it wasn’t common knowledge. The nation came to realize that Texas was on its own power grid. Separated from the Other two Interconnection power grids, The eastern and western, which could had provided support in aiding in the relief of power strain on the grid.
“The term “rolling blackouts” is complicated and is used to mean different things.” Eric Williams, the northeast director on the board of directors of the Omaha Public Power District in Omaha Nebraska, said. Black outs are temporary interruptions of power to help ease the power grid in certain times. Black outs were not just in Texas, Power grids across the country were trying to stretch energy as far as they could. Including here in Omaha Nebraska, which had planed temporary outages in certain areas to help ease stress on the system . “That is the absolute last step that a utility would take to avoid the MUCH more catastrophic actual unplanned blackout of the grid which can occur if the system is actually completely overloaded.” Williams said.
But since Texas is on its own independent grid. Due to the desire of being non regulated by the federal government. The grid did not have the winterizing precautions that are regulated by the federal government. As a result, a grid that depends on fossil fuels to run the majority of the grid, the fuel pipes and reserves froze.
”Texas knew what they SHOULD have done, but they just chose not to actually do it, and then terrible consequences happened,” Williams said. But failed to do so, lead to an over stressed power grid and an increased of power influx in use. Along with not being able to seek aid from other states was the crippling blow to them. Forcing them into doing rolling black outs
Unfortunately, Texas’ power grid might be the alarm that was set off. Little has been done to ultimately change the power grid structure. While we have introduce renewable energy, coal, nuclear and natural dominate the resource system. Changes in the system are being made but at a slow pace than expected. These changes must be made, from the consumer to our government. While these may seem redundant, they are crucial.
“The current grid should be able to handle quite a lot more renewable energy than we’re currently using,”Williams said, “Just like most other infrastructure in the US, we need to be evaluating, designing, and upgrading so that we are ready for the future, and specifically for the clean energy future.”
“The first step toward a clean energy future is efficiency. A very significant portion of all the energy we produce is not utilized.” Williams said. Starting in the home. Insulation can help regulate heat and cool. Not only would this help ease our own units, but stabilizing the temperature in our houses can ease the power grid. Along with switching to LED bulbs, turning off lights when not in use. Turning the thermostat up in the summer and down in the winter.
Other than what we our selves can do. There needs to be changes to the grid it self. There also needs to be changes in policy on all levels of government. Along with the expectation of increase of green power, adding new equipment to the infrastructure. “The current grid should be able to handle quite a lot more renewable energy than we’re currently using,..” Williams said, “.. No one is exactly sure how much more, but definitely more than we have.” Also according to Eric Williams, The power grid also needs to be evaluated, up graded and parts need to be design for the future of incoming clean energy. This will take time and why we all need to pitch in, both individual and governmental.
According to Williams, upgrading to a smart grid is ideal, which would include “Distributed Energy Resources” (DER), such as; solar panels on roof tops, of homes and businesses adding battery packs to store reserve power that is created by power plants during lower use hours. Using these techniques through out the grid will help our infrastructure become more efficient.
Our power grid, while relies able is inefficient. We tend to take it for granted and not think about it. Until it has a crisis. We need to evaluate the tire system and bring it into the current century. Along with preventing future crisis, using smart technology can reduce climate change by eliminating harmful emission, which enters can prevent the polar vortex from shifting.
Making our power grid would help out in the long run, not only will it prevent further break down in the system. It will help our grid by easing the stress on it. By using smart grids, our grid can run more efficiently and easier. We need to introduce green power more than we have been.. demanding on fossil fuels like we are is only causing more harm in more ways than the typical global warming issue. Natural gas can freeze in sub zero temps. Affecting the grid immensely Looking towards the future we need to expect more from our grid. Not just in infrastructure but in policy and in our own efforts.
