2020-21 Winter weather; bring it on

[Wanker Bob 379]

5 minutes ago, immamac said:

Has more to do with commercial and essential infrastructure than demographics. 

Population density and energy consumption averages probably play in as well. I have property in zilker and it's been without electricity for over 24 hours at this point. 

Admittedly I have no idea how they choose it but with the way things are it just wouldn't surprise me. 

[Dewey 3,286]

6 minutes ago, immamac said:

If you feel this way then you need to get with others who feel the same way and organize for a campaign of accountability for those responsible. 

I am firmly in the camp that this is gross negligence by those who are in charge and on the board of ERCOT. I'll gladly create a platform for people to speak out against it. 

Count me in

[MNLonghornFUKM 8,817]

I will not go CR, so I'll just say fuck everyone involved in this failure.  Criminals 

But I’m sure their houses are heated

[HenryJames 66,157]

5 minutes ago, NorthLoop said:

Right now is the first time I've had internet since 2am Monday morning.

Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse.

[gmr548 16,600]

Still have power and afaik no frozen pipes in Spring Branch in Houston, team #nodrip outside with em wrapped and dripping my downstairs faucets with hot and my upstairs with cold. Only concern is that our water pressure in the entire neighborhood is significantly less than it was a couple days ago, and if the faucets stop dripping... They may start freezing. C'est la vie.
RE: the STNP, we'll know for sure tomorrow morning if they shut down or not per the reactor status page. It was marked as 100% up as of sometime between 3 and 7A this morning so they really may have shut down as a 0500 as I've seen some folks saying. Our energy infrastructure is pathetic in this state.
It's fucking ridiculous that we're in this position of not having enough natural gas on hand to heat AND generate electricity, and that our grid refuses to connect to other states just to avoid rEgUlAtIoN. My mom in PF, my 85yo cancer survivor grandmother in Austin, and my 86yo cancer survivor grandfather on Lake Travis all have been without power for damn near 20 hours now due to the """rolling blackouts""". People are almost certainly going to be freezing to death tonight. Fuck.

Reactor 1 at zero this morning.

[Errestaurants 2,570]

Back to no power. Makes me want to drive down to Austin to kick a certain person right out of his warm house and wheelchair. 

[Dewey 3,286]

I hope people are utilizing their sleeping bags if they have them. Designed to keep heat in. I did not want to get out of mine this morning,  but damned if I didn't need to start a fire so I could boil water. 29 hours and counting 

[gmr548 16,600]

Not sure who is to blame, but this is just a colossal embarrassment.  It's unfathomable to me that we're going to have significant loss of life and property because of...high demand for electricity?
 

We are a third world country.

[HenryJames 66,157]

3 minutes ago, Errestaurants said:

Back to no power. Makes me want to drive down to Austin to kick a certain person right out of his warm house and wheelchair. 

[RPM 26,339]

Just got home from work. Looks like we had a rolling blackout. House was 57 and my space heaters were off.

[Dahobbs 17,649]

8 minutes ago, Errestaurants said:

Back to no power. Makes me want to drive down to Austin to kick a certain person right out of his warm house and wheelchair. 

He wouldn't feel it. 

[Cajun 11,722]

18 minutes ago, MNLonghornFUKM said:

But I’m sure their houses are heated

You can count on it.  Heated houses/condos with armed security.  

Edited February 16, 2021 by Cajun

[smoky 840]

How difficult is it to drive in Austin in a non 4wd vehicle?

Need to go get my parents. They told us their power came back on, but didn't tell us it went off again an hour later.

 

[immamac 42,913]

1 minute ago, smoky said:

How difficult is it to drive in Austin in a non 4wd vehicle?

Need to go get my parents. They told us their power came back on, but didn't tell us it went off again an hour later.

 

Unless you are ready to walk where you are going and you don't have AWD or experience driving in icy conditions you are putting your parents in more danger by driving than they are staying home. 

In other words it is extremely dangerous and highly likely you will not make it and be stranded in sub freezing temperatures

[Hpara759 1,780]

2 minutes ago, smoky said:

How difficult is it to drive in Austin in a non 4wd vehicle?

Need to go get my parents. They told us their power came back on, but didn't tell us it went off again an hour later.

 

I've driven back and forth from Georgetown to downtown Austin 6 days in a row now (5 1/2 actually) in a 2wd Colorado diesel.....

[Gale Snoats 242]

Going on hour 28 with no power in Barton hills. We all slept on floor in living room in front of fire but with these shitty original construction windows it can't be much above freezing in this house if at all. Down to barely any power on phone again but will go charge in car in a bit. No internet. No hot spot. No computer power. Neighbor tried twice to get out yesterday and just slid back down hill so stuck here. No telling how many across Texas died last night. Maddening. People need to go to jail for this.

[smoky 840]

Unless you are ready to walk where you are going and you don't have AWD or experience driving in icy conditions you are putting your parents in more danger by driving than they are staying home. 
In other words it is extremely dangerous and highly likely you will not make it and be stranded in sub freezing temperatures

Is there a 4wd Uber option? Or could someone show up in a Toyota Tercel?

[Wanker Bob 379]

1 minute ago, Gale Snoats said:

Going on hour 28 with no power in Barton hills. We all slept on floor in living room in front of fire but with these shitty original construction windows it can't be much above freezing in this house if at all. Down to barely any power on phone again but will go charge in car in a bit. No internet. No hot spot. No computer power. Neighbor tried twice to get out yesterday and just slid back down hill so stuck here. No telling how many across Texas died last night. Maddening. People need to go to jail for this.

System failure. No jail. Promotion. 

[BradInATX 9,208]

Remember when this thread was just Trey talking about living in Siberia and us occasionally bitching about 40 degree temps?

I member.

[MNLonghornFUKM 8,817]

Going on hour 28 with no power in Barton hills. We all slept on floor in living room in front of fire but with these shitty original construction windows it can't be much above freezing in this house if at all. Down to barely any power on phone again but will go charge in car in a bit. No internet. No hot spot. No computer power. Neighbor tried twice to get out yesterday and just slid back down hill so stuck here. No telling how many across Texas died last night. Maddening. People need to go to jail for this.

Probably better off just leaving the car outside and keeping the garage door shut. Maybe keep it locked and idling all day so it’s always warm? Lol.

[Enchubben 5,510]

I would venture to guess that about 2% of the people screaming fuck ercot actually fully understand our electricity market/regulators and what is causing the issue.

I mess around with utility stuff for work semi regularly and I would admit that I understand probably 10% of how this works. 

Imagine being California where this shit happens regularly, and then get back to me about how the Texas version sucks. 

Denand>Supply. Period. You don’t blow up the utility market to fix demand that is driven by extreme weather that occurs once every hundred years. We can talk increasing supply, but you’d have to head to the CR to discuss why that won’t happen. 

[Bevo&Pevo 5,217]

Contact ERCOT

If ya' really torqued at ERCOT, I'd suggest sending 'em a picture of your situation.  CC the news folks as on it.

 

[HenryJames 66,157]

7 minutes ago, BradInATX said:

Remember when this thread was just Trey talking about living in Siberia and us occasionally bitching about 40 degree temps?

I member.

[Biff Tannen 45,709]

12 minutes ago, immamac said:

Unless you are ready to walk where you are going and you don't have AWD or experience driving in icy conditions you are putting your parents in more danger by driving than they are staying home. 

In other words it is extremely dangerous and highly likely you will not make it and be stranded in sub freezing temperatures

 

10 minutes ago, Hpara759 said:

I've driven back and forth from Georgetown to downtown Austin 6 days in a row now (5 1/2 actually) in a 2wd Colorado diesel.....

Lol.

Honestly, I think part of it depends on where you are going.  My parents are in NW Hills and there's no WAY I could drive up there.  If it's mostly a flat drive, you have a better chance. 

[Dewey 3,286]

Article up top talks about how they basically take the winter off, less manpower to operate,  they do not incorporate any type of system, one that would use antifreeze or heating oils. Basically they're cheap and we're paying for their unpreparedness. No one is asking for cheaper prices, just that they could function somewhat when temperatures dip below freezing,  that we don't have 4 million without power. 

I don't understand how it all works, but I can tell as of right now it's not working at all. Major fuck up and people deserve far better than this 

[ChickenSandwich 9,849]

Drove around all day yesterday in the 4Runner. 
 

Anyone with front wheel drive or a sedan is insane and was basically screwed anytime they had to stop or climb a him. 
 

Tons of 2wd trucks just spinning etc. 

Cars sliding everywhere and plenty of them. Don’t do it. 

[immamac 42,913]

1 minute ago, Enchubben said:

I would venture to guess that about 2% of the people screaming fuck ercot actually fully understand our electricity market/regulators and what is causing the issue.

I mess around with utility stuff for work semi regularly and I would admit that I understand probably 10% of how this works. 

Imagine being California where this shit happens regularly, and then get back to me about how the Texas version sucks. 

Denand>Supply. Period. You don’t blow up the utility market to fix demand that is driven by extreme weather that occurs once every hundred years. We can talk increasing supply, but you’d have to head to the CR to discuss why that won’t happen. 

You understand that supply being significantly diminished is the issue here? Demand is high, yes, but supply plummeted due to a complete and utter lack of preparation and complete incompetence. This isn't just run of the mill bitching about rolling blackouts, this isn't transmission lines down, this is complete fucking criminal incompetence and negligence.

There are issues, while expensive that can be deployed especially with over a weeks notice to keep generation (even if diminished) up and running. Right now there is substantial amount of generation that is just hard offline, with no ability to start back up until after a thaw.

I'm not a nuclear power plant operator, but there are many on here including blacklab so I'll defer to him, but the way I understand it they could have left the nuclear reactor at steady state instead of pushing capacity to prevent from overheating. Nuclear isn't supposed to fluctuate, it's supposed to give steady state generation, whoever made the call to "push the generation" likely caused the failure of a very critical piece of generation that has massive effect on the available electricity on the grid. 

 

[Hpara759 1,780]

5 minutes ago, Biff Tannen said:

 

Lol.

Honestly, I think part of it depends on where you are going.  My parents are in NW Hills and there's no WAY I could drive up there.  If it's mostly a flat drive, you have a better chance. 

the worst out of all the days was yesterday morning getting out of my hood....I was the first one out and had to break trail

Edited February 16, 2021 by Hpara759
sp

[phdhorn 6,224]

1 minute ago, HenryJames said:

Item  #746 of things we need to do after this lethal cold snap is to change that fucking title.

Next winter, as I wanted to this year, I'm starting a thread only for Texas winter. That's the only place I'm going to post weather forecasts for winter, period.

Book it.

Passing my 6th hour without power, My Vegas bet is I get it at noon today if I'm lucky could easily see not getting it till this evening or later.

Fortunately, it's still a tropical 56 in the house after the coldest night in Bee Cave history

 

 

[Biff Tannen 45,709]

2 minutes ago, immamac said:

I'm not a nuclear power plant operator, but there are many on here including blacklab so I'll defer to him,

First I find out that immamac is a mexican and now blacklab is a nuclear power plant operator?  My whole life is a lie.

[texas08 1,599]

I’m sure that if you have it you’re already doing this...

But if you have a camping tent, set it up and sleep in there...it helps.

Gas fire place and gas stove (for food). Surviving, but the game changer was the tent.

Cracked a few windows and managed to keep the living room right around 60...tent was 62-64. Under blankets was 68-70.

I need a damn carbon monoxide detector so I can sleep with more peace of mind.

[cactusflinthead 27,601]

11 minutes ago, Enchubben said:

I would venture to guess that about 2% of the people screaming fuck ercot actually fully understand our electricity market/regulators and what is causing the issue.

I mess around with utility stuff for work semi regularly and I would admit that I understand probably 10% of how this works. 

Imagine being California where this shit happens regularly, and then get back to me about how the Texas version sucks. 

Denand>Supply. Period. You don’t blow up the utility market to fix demand that is driven by extreme weather that occurs once every hundred years. We can talk increasing supply, but you’d have to head to the CR to discuss why that won’t happen. 

Well come on down. Explain to me why it is deregulated. 

[immamac 42,913]

1 minute ago, texas08 said:

I’m sure that if you have it you’re already doing this...

But if you have a camping tent, set it up and sleep in there...it helps.

Gas fire place and gas stove (for food). Surviving, but the game changer was the tent.

Cracked a few windows and managed to keep the living room right around 60...tent was 62-64. Under blankets was 68-70.

I need a damn carbon monoxide detector so I can sleep with more peace of mind.

^^ Bust out all the camping gear, your cold weather sleeping bags, tent, etc. You can also boil a big pot of water, and put it in the tent and put it next to any other heat source (hopefully a fireplace) and this will be dramatically warmer than trying to heat your entire home or room.

[texas08 1,599]

Tent panel closest to the fire place, but the other panels read 60-64.

[Captainant 27,725]

3 minutes ago, Biff Tannen said:

First I find out that immamac is a mexican and now blacklab is a nuclear power plant operator?  My whole life is a lie.

Blacklab was on nuke subs

[Hpara759 1,780]

what I would give for one of these babies in my backyard now!

[texas08 1,599]

Also, weighted blankets if you have them.

I hate the damn things but glad I have a couple from Christmas gifts.

[Enchubben 5,510]

3 minutes ago, immamac said:

You understand that supply being significantly diminished is the issue here? Demand is high, yes, but supply plummeted due to a complete and utter lack of preparation and complete incompetence. This isn't just run of the mill bitching about rolling blackouts, this isn't transmission lines down, this is complete fucking criminal incompetence and negligence.

There are issues, while expensive that can be deployed especially with over a weeks notice to keep generation (even if diminished) up and running. Right now there is substantial amount of generation that is just hard offline, with no ability to start back up until after a thaw.

I'm not a nuclear power plant operator, but there are many on here including blacklab so I'll defer to him, but the way I understand it they could have left the nuclear reactor at steady state instead of pushing capacity to prevent from overheating. Nuclear isn't supposed to fluctuate, it's supposed to give steady state generation, whoever made the call to "push the generation" likely caused the failure of a very critical piece of generation that has massive effect on the available electricity on the grid. 

 

Do you think ERCOT manages power plants, their construction, and M&O?

If you want to talk about increasing supply, which I agree is a problem during the few extreme events, why aren’t people asking for more generation facilities? 

Be angry, but maybe asking to doxx and beat people up that work for a not for profit isn’t the best approach. Call me simple, but I just think that a once in a lifetime event event shouldn’t drive the wholesale change of our utility system/power grid that delivers cheap power, effectively, 99% of the time. 

[RPM 26,339]

8 minutes ago, ChickenSandwich said:

Anyone with front wheel drive or a sedan is insane and was basically screwed anytime they had to climb a him. 

I thought that was how it worked. nttawwt

[bluto 4,940]

Do you think ERCOT manages power plants, their construction, and M&O?
If you want to talk about increasing supply, which I agree is a problem during the few extreme events, why aren’t people asking for more generation facilities? 
Be angry, but maybe asking to doxx and beat people up that work for a not for profit isn’t the best approach. Call me simple, but I just think that a once in a lifetime event event shouldn’t drive the wholesale change of our utility system/power grid that delivers cheap power, effectively, 99% of the time. 

And that 1% causes mass casualties and billions of damages

[phdhorn 6,224]

In this weather, I'll consider it if helps to keep me warm.

 

[BradInATX 9,208]

Do you think ERCOT manages power plants, their construction, and M&O?
If you want to talk about increasing supply, which I agree is a problem during the few extreme events, why aren’t people asking for more generation facilities? 
Be angry, but maybe asking to doxx and beat people up that work for a not for profit isn’t the best approach. Call me simple, but I just think that a once in a lifetime event event shouldn’t drive the wholesale change of our utility system/power grid that delivers cheap power, effectively, 99% of the time. 

Man. I hope that my workplace never instills a culture of mediocrity acceptance like yours clearly has.

Most of the time we don't endanger the lives and health of our customers! Participation trophies all around for a job well done.

[Liquor and Poker 3,659]

Got power back last night but Bellaire now has no water.  Something major froze up the line.  We were dripping faucets so I’m hoping the lines are basically empty and this is like I did a cutoff and drain.

on a related note, are my outdoor faucets just fucked now?  They were covered but I’m now scared to check them due to fear they will crack (happened to me in Austin). 

[Doc Sam Beckett 5,797]

24 minutes ago, Enchubben said:

I would venture to guess that about 2% of the people screaming fuck ercot actually fully understand our electricity market/regulators and what is causing the issue.

I mess around with utility stuff for work semi regularly and I would admit that I understand probably 10% of how this works. 

Imagine being California where this shit happens regularly, and then get back to me about how the Texas version sucks. 

Denand>Supply. Period. You don’t blow up the utility market to fix demand that is driven by extreme weather that occurs once every hundred years. We can talk increasing supply, but you’d have to head to the CR to discuss why that won’t happen. 

It sure seems like these once every hundred years events are happening once every two years 

[Message Board User 12,396]

17 minutes ago, Biff Tannen said:

First I find out that immamac is a mexican and now blacklab is a nuclear power plant operator?  My whole life is a lie.

Wait til you find out Henry James is a woman.

[immamac 42,913]

9 minutes ago, Enchubben said:

Do you think ERCOT manages power plants, their construction, and M&O?

If you want to talk about increasing supply, which I agree is a problem during the few extreme events, why aren’t people asking for more generation facilities? 

Be angry, but maybe asking to doxx and beat people up that work for a not for profit isn’t the best approach. Call me simple, but I just think that a once in a lifetime event event shouldn’t drive the wholesale change of our utility system/power grid that delivers cheap power, effectively, 99% of the time. 

We have enough generation facilities - they are intentionally abandoned and turned off or not prepared to continue generation for 3 days of continuous below freezing (not even fucking crazy temps, just out of the norm for Texas) - Stop acting like this is weather that no one on earth knows how to deal with or generate electricity in. It's cold for Texas, it's not cold with frame of reference to places that actually get cold. This is where preparation comes in, and that's why this is criminal negligence. The unpreparedness of the generation providers and the regulatory commission that oversees them IS THE PROBLEM here, not the lack of generation facilities you fucking rube.

[HenryJames 66,157]

11 minutes ago, Captainant said:

Blacklab was on nuke subs

[Trey3216 15,352]

20 minutes ago, ChickenSandwich said:

Drove around all day yesterday in the 4Runner. 
 

Anyone with front wheel drive or a sedan is insane and was basically screwed anytime they had to stop or climb a him. 
 

Tons of 2wd trucks just spinning etc. 

Cars sliding everywhere and plenty of them. Don’t do it. 

South Austin’s mom has already climbed several hims today.  

[Biff Tannen 45,709]

3 minutes ago, Doc Sam Beckett said:

It sure seems like these once every hundred years events are happening once every two years 

Well then it's looking good for a few thousand years right?

[Liquor and Poker 3,659]

10 minutes ago, BradInATX said:

Man. I hope that my workplace never instills a culture of mediocrity acceptance like yours clearly has.

Fuck, I hope mine does.