TFTC: A Bitcoin Podcast #248: Fragile electrical grids, unreliable energy lobby, nuclear FUD, and common sense with Meredith Angwin
9 snips
May 4, 2021 
In this engaging discussion, Meredith Angwin, author and nuclear energy advocate, dives into the hidden fragility of our electrical grids. She unpacks misconceptions around energy mixes and the pressing issues in Texas and California regarding energy reliability. Angwin emphasizes the crucial role of nuclear power in ensuring steady electricity supply while critiquing the influence of special interests on energy policies. The conversation also touches on innovative solutions to improve grid management and the need for a balanced approach to energy production.
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Angwin's Grid Learning Journey
- Meredith Angwin learned about grid fragility while defending a Vermont nuclear plant.
- She discovered the lack of transparency and oversight in grid operations concerning reliability.
Hydro-Quebec and Bitcoin Mining
- Hydro-Quebec's excess power attracted Bitcoin miners with cheap rates but later raised prices unexpectedly.
- During cold snaps, Hydro-Quebec reduced power exports to prioritize local demand, revealing grid dependence risks.
Grid's Fragility: Neighbor Dependency
- Grids cannot depend on neighbors during emergencies; each region must ensure its own resource adequacy.
- Relying on neighboring grids during peak stress events causes fragility and blackouts.
