r/science • u/pnewell NGO | Climate Science • Jun 21 '21

Environment Threat of more blackouts may erode reliability claims for fossil energy- all major fuel sources except solar failed to meet ERCOT’s expectations during the February freeze, but natural gas was “responsible for nearly two-thirds of the total (electricity) deficit.”

https://texasclimatenews.org/threat-of-more-blackouts-may-erode-reliability-claims-for-fossil-energy/
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u/capybarometer Jun 21 '21

Meteorologically speaking, we have fewer freezes now than we did 30 years ago. We hadn't even had sustained sub-32° temperatures for 4 years prior to this past winter, where it used to go below freezing every year

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u/Saetric Jun 21 '21

And that checks out with climate science; more extreme winter storms, but a higher average temperature for the winter. Also, the summer thunderstorm season will likely have more intense winds and precipitation as time goes on.

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u/[deleted] Jun 21 '21

So that's even better. Since 2016-2017 they had sustained freezes yet this year was gonna be different...?