Weatherization and Energy Security: a Review of Recent Events in ERCOT

• Published in: Current sustainable/renewable energy reports. Vol. 9; no. 4; pp. 65 - 69
• Main Authors: Zakeri, Golbon, Hernandez, Maria, Lackner, Matt, Manwell, James F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Blackouts; Cold; Economics and Management; Electric power generation; Electricity; Electricity distribution; Electricity generation; Energy; Energy Policy; Energy security; Energy Storage; Environmental Science and Engineering; Gas-fired power plants; Generators; Natural gas utilities; Renewable and Green Energy; Renewable resources; Reviews; Seasons; Section Editors; Topical Collection on Zero-Marginal-Cost Market Design; Zero-Marginal-Cost Market Design (R Sioshansi and S Mousavian; Energy security; Weatherization; Just-in-time fuel; Market failure; Texas blackout; Winterization
• ISSN: 2196-3010; 2196-3010
• DOI: 10.1007/s40518-022-00203-0

Purpose of Review This review addresses the question of energy security. With the transition of energy generation fleet to cleaner, more sustainable electricity production, energy security is a topic of increasing importance. Recent Findings Recent events in Texas brought the concept of energy security to the fore. In this review, we examine the makeup of electricity generation and the causes of the February 2021 blackout of Texas. We will investigate the cost/benefit of winterization in Texas and ask why this was not undertaken subsequent to a similar event in 2011. Summary We investigate the case of Texas blackout of February 2021 and estimate the cost of prevention of this undesirable outcome. We suggest that market mechanisms need to be in place to incentivize electricity producers to ensure energy security going forward.