Showing the ERCOT boundaries [in blue] where the rolling blackouts occurred.
ERCOT in relation to the rest of the US as far as electric grids are concerned. Texas chose to remain instate with their grid with no major ties to other US grids to keep the FERC out of controlling the grid.
Power outages unlikely, but not impossible
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Wednesday’s rolling blackouts were not caused by a failure to predict demand accurately or to keep enough plants online, Doggett said, but by a widespread mechanical failure of more than 50 power generating units all over the state.
There was no single reason for the failures and no particular location, plant operator or type of power plant behind the problem, he said.
Re-evaluating procedures
Frozen water pipes burst in some instances, but many of the problems emerged as ice locked up equipment that sends signals to valves, pumps and other devices, Doggett said.
Most power plant operators in Texas winterize their plants to handle cold snaps, but it’s clear that more could be done, he said.
“We will be looking at whether tighter restrictions should be applied on those plants,” he said.
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