The major electrical failure that happened in early 2020 in many parts of Texas was traumatic for those who lived through it and a learning experience for the rest of the country. The disaster left millions of households without power during a weather crisis where temperatures plunged to record lows.
The Texas power grid failure was the culmination of two main issues: the grid was not designed to withstand such extreme temperatures and Texas' power grid could only draw a limited amount of power from outside of the state.
Underlying Issues That Contributed to the Failure
The possibility of such a massive failure was predicted years earlier. In both 1989 and 2011, the low temperatures triggered blackouts, and following both incidents regulators recommended widespread upgrades. Those recommendations were largely ignored.
Could This Happen Elsewhere?
Many other states are interconnected through regional power grids. These grids are more reliable than an isolated grid (like the one in Texas), but there are still vulnerabilities due to aging infrastructure.
The Future Depends on Planning
First, the power grid's transmission infrastructure must be upgraded sooner rather than later. Next, states must collaborate with utility providers to understand critical failure points. And finally, states must carefully examine how cold weather can impact power delivery.
The takeaway from the 2020 Texas power grid failure is that it was avoidable. Implementing real solutions and following through on proposed infrastructure upgrades are key to avoiding another catastrophic failure.