This article discusses the cultural, political economic, and technological challenges facing Texas energy leaders and experts after the February 2021 power crisis. Governor Greg Abbott and PUC Chair Peter Lake (who Abbott appointed) have taken this opportunity to revive interest in fossil fuel generation at the expense of renewable generation. This emphasis on "dispatchable generation" (read fossil fuel based) is being done in the name of reliability in spite of the fact that fossil fuel generators did not clearly outperform renewable power plants during the winter storm. The power failure took place across all types of generation. While not denying the need to increase grid resilience, diverse energy experts are speaking out against this shift in focus from energy transition and innovation to keeping old, dirty fossil fuel assets online. There is also talk of redesigning the market from one that rewards driving the system to the brink of crisis to one that rewards resilience.
Though the political struggle to determine the nuances of Texas energy future persists, it's quite clear that there are some big changes in store.
Source
Klump, Edward, and Mike Lee. 2021. “Texas Plans ‘monumental’ Electricity Overhaul.” E&E Energy Wire, July 14, 2021.
Cite as
Edward Klump and Mike Lee, "Texas Plans Monumental Electricity Overhaul", contributed by James Adams, The Energy Rights Project, Platform for Experimental Collaborative Ethnography, last modified 12 August 2021, accessed 25 April 2024. https://energyrights.info/content/texas-plans-monumental-electricity-overhaul
Critical Commentary
This article discusses the cultural, political economic, and technological challenges facing Texas energy leaders and experts after the February 2021 power crisis. Governor Greg Abbott and PUC Chair Peter Lake (who Abbott appointed) have taken this opportunity to revive interest in fossil fuel generation at the expense of renewable generation. This emphasis on "dispatchable generation" (read fossil fuel based) is being done in the name of reliability in spite of the fact that fossil fuel generators did not clearly outperform renewable power plants during the winter storm. The power failure took place across all types of generation. While not denying the need to increase grid resilience, diverse energy experts are speaking out against this shift in focus from energy transition and innovation to keeping old, dirty fossil fuel assets online. There is also talk of redesigning the market from one that rewards driving the system to the brink of crisis to one that rewards resilience.
Though the political struggle to determine the nuances of Texas energy future persists, it's quite clear that there are some big changes in store.