A Free-Market Energy Blog

California Summer Blackouts? Bureaucratic Green Doublespeak)

By -- May 24, 2021

Ed.Note: The growing burden of renewable energy on the power grid is near or at maximum levels in some key states such as California and Texas. A product that was once ‘firm’ is now precarious with central planning by regional transmission organizations (RTOs) or Independent System Coordinators (ISOs). Expect a reliability index to be introduced for state-by-state analysis as the cancer grows and spreads.

“The declining effective load capability for grid-connected solar and hydro (for summer 2021) is primarily due to the shifting of peak loads to later in the day due to behind-the-meter solar generation, and declining hydro energy expectations, respectively” –  – California Independent System Operator (ISO), Summer Loads and Re-Assessment 2021

“Doublespeak – takes the form of euphemism or softening primarily to make the truth more palatable.

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Electricity Expert/Planner ‘Shaken’ (Texas debacle shocks worldview)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- May 20, 2021

“I have to admit, the ERCOT blackouts have shaken me. The amount of physical damage and human suffering they caused is astounding. Obviously, the “market” failed to provide the service reliability that customers expected and deserved.”

– Robert L. Borlick, Independent energy consultant, here

It is tough when your belief system gets rattled by reality. Very few people can handle that well. The best prevention strategy is to keep an open mind, and understand other views about as well as your own. Be polite, and stay modest (‘the higher you fly, the harder you fall’).

One longtime electricity planner, Robert L. Borlick, is angry. His ideal regulatory/planning system, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, overseen by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT/ERCOT), crashed. He is in denial, having claimed:

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Solar Arrays Are Bad Neighbors (Kerrville, Tx finds out first hand)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- May 19, 2021

The Kerrville Public Utility Board, advertising itself as “Safe. Reliable. Yours.”, should cease investing in politically correct, economically incorrect energies that are disruptive to the landscape and neighbors.

Last year I moved from Houston to the Texas Hill Country in search of good air, clean living, and a respite from the city scene. There are no wind turbines here, but a nearby solar installation has been in the news.

Kerrville Daily Times article, “Residents Report Flooding from Solar Farm” (May 11, 2021), explained a situation of problem, non-solution … continuing problem, non-solution. The municipality at issue (partial investor) is the Kerrville Public Utility Board (KPUB).

The details are provided in the article below:

In the wake of concerns over flooding at properties adjacent to a solar farm off Spur 100,  NextEra Energy Resources says it has submitted a remediation plan to the city and Kerrville Public Utility Board. …

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Middle-East Oil Burn Continues (media blackout on the same)

By Vijay Jayaraj -- May 18, 2021
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Price ‘Gouging’ Laws & Hoarding: Institutionalizing Waste

By Roy Cordato -- May 17, 2021
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“Buffer of Civility” (a message amid the gasoline lines)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- May 13, 2021
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Replacing Crude Oil: The 2006 Debate Revisited (coal oil in play)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- May 12, 2021
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‘Too Much Competition’ (fussy CEO want rivals to ease up)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- May 11, 2021
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“Green Fraud” Book Review (one-stop shopping for energy/climate realists)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- May 10, 2021
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Mises on Resources: Short, Sweet, Definitive

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- May 6, 2021
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