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"How We Survive": Kai Ryssdal visits the frontlines where national security meets climate change. Listen Now
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Power grid

What might new leadership at ERCOT mean for the troubled Texas power grid?

by Andy Uhler
Aug 16, 2022
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas' new CEO has experience working under a different power pricing model — a capacity market.
Texas operates an energy-only electricity market, which means energy producers only get paid when they generate, and there’s usually not a lot of electricity on standby.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Texas power grid operator asks customers to limit afternoon AC use

by Andy Uhler
Jul 11, 2022
With temperatures in triple digits in much of the state, air conditioning is creating heavy demand on a system that has had problems in the past.
With temperatures in the triple digits across the state, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas is urging customers to conserve energy when possible.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
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A Warmer World

Grid operators struggle with volume of connection requests from renewables

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Feb 7, 2022
The number of proposed solar projects has spiked as costs have declined, but the transmission system can't accommodate them.
Energy experts say grids are not prepared for the tidal wave of renewable energy coming their way.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
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What we get wrong about the energy grid

by Andy Uhler and Erika Soderstrom
Dec 28, 2021
We should focus on changing demand for electric power when planning for the future.
During a period of extreme cold in February, people took shelter at a store in Houston that was transformed into a warming station. The drop in temperature caused a widespread and prolonged power outage.
Photo by Go Nakamura/Getty Images
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What's behind China's power cuts?

by Jennifer Pak
Oct 5, 2021
China has more than enough coal underground to service the country's needs.
There are more than 50 cap and trade programs across the world to address carbon emissions.
Kevin Frayer via Getty Images
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A California fix for rolling blackouts irks neighbors

by Lily Jamali
Jul 22, 2021
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently approved a California proposal that prioritizes its own power needs in a crunch.
Power lines running through Paradise, California on May 22, 2021.
Lily Jamali
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U.S. electrical grids are not prepared for climate change

by Sabri Ben-Achour
Jul 1, 2021
Experts say utilities have been forced to play catch-up when extreme weather hits.
The sun sets behind power lines in Los Angeles.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
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Texas' largest power co-op files for bankruptcy

by Andy Uhler
Mar 1, 2021
Brazos Electric's filing could be an ominous sign as other Texas power providers assess the damage after the extreme weather.
High voltage transmission towers on Feb. 21 in Houston.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Texas' ag industry faces hundreds of millions in losses after deep freeze

by Andy Uhler
Feb 26, 2021
And those hits ripple through to grocery stores, where there are still some limits on buying things like milk and eggs.
Dairy farmers had to dump 14 million gallons of milk because they couldn’t get it to processing plants. A lot of poultry farmers lost power for days and couldn’t get more fuel for their generators.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Texas governor pledges to "mandate and fund" winterization of power grid

by Andy Uhler
Feb 25, 2021
While the mandate deals with the power problem, gas and water are not addressed.
The state needs to be prepared to prevent extreme cold from paralyzing the electric power system.
Matthew Busch/AFP via Getty Images
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