The Texas electric grid was recently minutes away from a complete breakdown after a severe winter storm paralyzed almost every energy source, from power plants to wind turbines. We thought it was over, but weeks later, we had this alert released on April 13 on a perfectly comfortable day. ERCOT said, “Due to a combination of high gen outages typical in April & higher-than-forecasted demand caused by a stalled cold front over TX, ERCOT may enter emergency conditions. We do not expect customer outages. Declaring an emergency would allow us to access additional resources.” (source)
According to one executive grid operator, the Texas electric grid’s power outage left millions powerless, freezing and in the dark and it could happen again. The power grid frequency fell significantly below the average level of 60 hertz, forcing the authorities to initiate a rolling blackout that affected the residents for days.
What we can learn from the recent power outage in Texas?
The short version is that we can not depend on the current energy grid in Texas. One solution that is a viable option for those savvy home owners and businesses is to have a backup source of power to run our homes, businesses and industries.
When the power grid barely has enough power supply for normal running, spikes in heat or cold can be a rough on the current system. Be it summer or winter, the power demand spikes leading to rolling blackouts.
You don’t want to end up like millions of Texas residents, tormented after rolling blackouts, not knowing when or if their power would come back on. One resident in the Sanger area named Judy said, “It would come on just long enough to blow some heat, then the electricity would kick back off. We were not sure how long we were going to be without electricity between the blackouts.”
The most impactful thing about Judy is that they have solar panels. The solar panels could not produce enough electricity to help at all during this big storm. As a matter of fact, with the extended cold, their efficiency decrease enough that they were not producing electricity at all.
Imagine how devastating it was for the millions of other Texas residents to experience an electrical power outage for more than 48 hours!
How can we protect ourselves against further power outages in Dallas?
Since the blackout is unpredictable, the best we can do is install a safe energy system in our homes and business. A home standby generator will kick on almost immediately when the power goes out energizing your house no matter how often or how long rolling blackouts last.
You may never have heard about a standby generator, but they are very popular. A standby generator can provide you with a reliable power supply and protect you and your family from being without electricity.
One of our clients called us after the storm, “Ryan, I’m sure glad you convinced me to install a [standby] generator. It literally saved my Mother’s life during this hard freeze. She couldn’t go without electricity in her condition.”
It’s stories like these that make us proud to install a Cummins or Kohler standby generator. It could be the piece missing in your long term electricity needs puzzle. These standby generators will give you peace of mind and the ability to live your busy life uninterrupted.
Cummins or Kohler generators are the embodiment of sturdy dependability. They are reliable in mechanical and electrical performance as long as they are installed correctly. That is why we specialize in the complete package. From site evaluation, sizing, installation and maintenance we have you covered.
As the power supply becomes steadily outdated and unreliable, the best case to salvage the situation of rolling blackouts is to have a reliable source. We can install your standby generator to avoid being interrupted by power outages in Dallas.
Take action before it happens because it will happen again
The best time to buy a home standby generator for backup power is now before you need it. It’s quiet, efficient and safe, but it takes time to install. These units tie directly into your power supply and within a few seconds of a power outage, your new standby generator kicks in automagically.
You want to talk to Ryan at Verdegy sooner rather than later. It is not a matter of if your power will go off, but when. With spring storms, sultry heat of summer and the blasts of winter, it’s only a matter of time.
Note: The shutdown has shortened production of new standby generators and they are on back order for a few months. However, we can still start the process for your site and home, so as soon as they become available, you’ll be one of the first in line to get your new generator.)