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As we gear up for winter, it's important to be prepared for potential challenges in the power grid. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has cautioned about the possibility of rolling blackouts if extreme temperatures reoccur, reminiscent of the events in February 2021. This is a worst-case scenario, but a warning nonetheless.
During Winter Storm Uri, ERCOT implemented rolling blackouts due to surging demand for heating. At its peak, four million people endured 70.5 hours without power as severe weather knocked offline 365 generators.
If rolling blackouts are to occur this winter, ERCOT is looking to strategically plan outages to occur from 8 am to 9 am.
The 2021 storm marked Texas' coldest temperatures in over 30 years, leading to grid and water system failures. The strain on the grid is attributed to the state's growing population, increasing energy usage, and extreme weather patterns.
Despite new protocols for power plants, concerns persist for the upcoming winter. Some experts anticipate historic levels of the El Niño weather pattern, potentially leading to increased snowfall in Texas and across the United States.
As propane delivery companies, we thought we would forewarn you so you can be prepared for these blackouts that can disrupt phone lines, utility services and power to your propane business so you can prepare to provide uninterrupted service for our customers during potential grid challenges.
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