I keep thinking about the interdependencies of the gas and power networks in Texas.
The natural gas system depends (partly) on power.
The power system depends (heavily) on natural gas.
This creates a risk of cascading failures from one to the other. [THREAD]
The natural gas system depends (partly) on power.
The power system depends (heavily) on natural gas.
This creates a risk of cascading failures from one to the other. [THREAD]
These two interdependent have two asymmetries, both of which benefit gas:
1) The power system has a price cap of $9000/MWh for generators in the wholesale market.
The gas system does not have a cap.
1) The power system has a price cap of $9000/MWh for generators in the wholesale market.
The gas system does not have a cap.
2) The power system is isolated in Texas and cannot lean on neighbors for help.
The gas system connects to national and international markets. Out-of-state providers can help fill in shortfalls of gas.
The gas system connects to national and international markets. Out-of-state providers can help fill in shortfalls of gas.
Both systems can use on-site storage to help with reliability.
Electrically-powered gas compressor stations or processing systems can use batteries.
Power plants can use gas tanks/caverns (or LNG for better density) to store on site.
Gas is cheaper to store than batteries.
Electrically-powered gas compressor stations or processing systems can use batteries.
Power plants can use gas tanks/caverns (or LNG for better density) to store on site.
Gas is cheaper to store than batteries.
Though gas and power are heavily interconnected, they have different and independent regulatory and oversight structures.
Both gas and power need to consider winterization more strictly through the lens of possibility that more frequent and intense weather events are likely to happen.
Moving forward we should
1) identify cross-cutting failure points
2) include climate science into weatherization decisions
3) improve the oversight of the systems through integrated planning and policymaking
4) deploy storage to mitigate reliability problems
1) identify cross-cutting failure points
2) include climate science into weatherization decisions
3) improve the oversight of the systems through integrated planning and policymaking
4) deploy storage to mitigate reliability problems
5) Fix the price cap asymmetry so that mismatched price spikes don't bankrupt one sector while enriching the other
6) Connect our grid to other states to let electrons flow just as we allow molecules to flow
And we should make the molecules and electrons carbon-neutral.
[END]
6) Connect our grid to other states to let electrons flow just as we allow molecules to flow
And we should make the molecules and electrons carbon-neutral.
[END]
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