So, based upon the alerts I’ve seen recently and the belief I can do a small amount of good, I’m raising the thermostat a couple of degrees and not using the big appliances.
Will you and I make a difference? Hard question to answer since we will not see results until over the horizon. It’s just mid-May. Temps are at or near 100º today and up there consistently this month (1 day not in the 90s). Wait until June-September hits us in Centex in the face.
ERCOT is warning us to turn up the temps now or face possible shortages. Right? Isn’t that what you saw/heard? The problem, they say, is that some power sources are down or offline for maintenance or breakdowns. Did we get this message last year, except it was in the teens and single digits for days?
Planning. Do the ERCOT players even do this?
Let’s look from the outside in. There are two shoulder seasons in Texas — Spring and Fall (like in the travel and hospitality industry). Why are we not using those purposefully to test, maintain and upgrade both the plants and the grid?
Once upon a time we believed that in Texas we are better off because we are our own independent supplier of electric power, unlike some regions of the northeast which cross state lines and they present control challenges.
I don’t recall felling great about ERCOT last year when we had no power, no heat and no water. And they had no excuses. Am I more confident now?
Here’s a little help. There is a Texas company — Dejalytics (www.dejalytics.com) that uses AI and real algorithms to get power generators on top of supply and demand. And I have ben fortunate to know David Inbar, their CEO. These are smart people.
If you choose (and I’m not an endorser), you can email ERCOT leaders and urge them to get help. Keeping our power in the hands of individuals who fear change is not acceptable. Reach out. Get them moving to take action in the right direction. Thanks!
