Brian- I am aware. That's also not relevant at all to the point.
On Wed, Apr 14, 2021 at 9:22 AM Brian Johnson <brian.john...@netgeek.us> wrote: > Tom, > > You do realize that ERCOT is a non-profit organization…. > > On Apr 14, 2021, at 8:04 AM, Tom Beecher <beec...@beecher.cc> wrote: > > > Funny how this obsession with a green grid has made the grid > > unreliable, resulting in sales of gas-burning generators and > > perishable fuel. Dare I say it's not been worth it? > > Yes, desire for renewable power sources is totally the reason that power > generators neglect proper preventative maintenance and adoption of lessons > learned during past problem periods. It absolutely has nothing to do with > profit being the most important thing ever. Right? > > On Wed, Apr 14, 2021 at 8:48 AM Mark Tinka <mark@tinka.africa> wrote: > >> >> >> On 4/14/21 13:35, Billy Croan wrote: >> >> > Sounds like we all need to start keeping a few days reserve of energy >> > on hand at home now because the utilities can't be trusted to keep >> > their system online in 2021. >> >> It just makes sense to plan along those lines, really. Despite popular >> belief, power companies are preferring energy conservation from their >> customers more than they do sales, because they just can't keep throwing >> up new coal-fired or nuclear power stations a la the days of old (anyone >> remember the 1973 and 1979 oil crises?) >> >> Most people would assume that power companies want to sell more >> electricity so they can make more money, but they dread the days when >> the network is brought to its knees, even if the revenue will climb. So >> between asking customers to save more on energy + being able to rely >> less on fossil fuels for generation, one needs to consider their >> personal energy security over the long term, fully or partially >> independent of the traditional grid. >> >> >> > Funny how this obsession with a green grid has made the grid >> > unreliable, resulting in sales of gas-burning generators and >> > perishable fuel. Dare I say it's not been worth it? >> >> I wouldn't say that the obsession is without merit. It's just that >> regular folk are only seeking the solution from one perspective - that >> of the power generators. If folk (and that includes the gubbermints) met >> the power companies half way, renewables would make a lot more sense, >> more quickly. But as I said before, when we flick the switch, it must >> turn on. End of. And then we revert to demanding power companies to >> embrace the additional revenue, or fulfill their mandate to deliver a >> basic, life-sustaining utility, no matter what. >> >> Unfortunately, there really hasn't been sufficient education to regular >> folk about what it takes to generate electricity reliably, no matter the >> season. And yet, there is far more education out there about the >> benefits of conserving it, and preserving the earth. So the view is not >> balanced, and power companies as well as oil producers will knee-jerk to >> either justify or distance themselves, rather than encourage a fair, >> practical engagement. In the end, he that feels the most pressure, >> caves... and this can go either way depending on which side of the >> economic development curve you are sitting. >> >> >> > >> > Nuclear and hydro were the only reasonable obvious choices and >> > ecological paralysis hamstrings those as well. >> >> Ultimately, no target toward zero emissions is complete without some >> kind of nuclear and/or hydro. Especially as a solution for peak demand, >> (pumped) hydro will continue to be the most efficient option, if folk >> are interested in keeping the lights on at 7:45PM on a wintery Tuesday >> night. >> >> >> > >> > Now is the time to speak the message. Write your elected >> > representatives. Talk to your families and friends about energy. >> > Change minds. >> >> There is room for co-existence, I think. But the honest discussions need >> to be had, and not the glossy wish list that should be fixed by someone >> else, because we are just citizens minding our own business. >> >> Mark. >> > >