Grid Locked
99% Invisible22 Mar 2022

Grid Locked

In February 2021, it began to snow in Austin, Texas, which was unusual, and exciting for some, at least until the power dropped out for millions of people. To many, this came as a shock – how could a state known for its energy production have such widespread, prolonged power outages? To understand the situation, one has to look at the history of the grid, and how Texas came to be what we call an “energy island.” It's the only state in the lower 48 that operates its own independent electric grid.

For more on the Texas grid by Mose Buchele, be sure to check out The Disconnect.

Grid Locked

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Episoder(771)

Don't Forget to Remember

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Roman Mars Describes Chicago As It Is

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A few years ago, at the very start of the pandemic, Roman Mars wrote an episode of 99pi in which he simply talked about design details in his house -- realizing that he, like the audience, didn't have...

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The Double Kick

The Double Kick

Watch a skate video today, and you'll notice how similarly shaped the boards are. It’s called the “popsicle” design, because the deck is narrow in the middle and rounded off at both ends, like a popsi...

24 Jan 202451min

The Power Broker #1: Robert Caro

The Power Broker #1: Robert Caro

Welcome to our first official episode, breaking down the 1974 Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Power Broker by our hero Robert Caro. Robert Caro happens to be our special guest for this episode and yo...

19 Jan 20241h 33min

Imitation Nation

Imitation Nation

Fake cities. Imitation nations. People role-playing as civilians, spies, or enemies, complete with costumes and props. It's all part of an effort coordinated and constructed by the U.S. military to pr...

16 Jan 202434min

Mini-Stories: Volume 18

Mini-Stories: Volume 18

Our second and final set of mini-stories for the season: We'll be covering upside-down construction, the linguistics of filler and a fire that has been burning for decades.Check out Lizzie No's latest...

9 Jan 202434min

Another Visit from the Three Santas of Slovenia

Another Visit from the Three Santas of Slovenia

We're revisiting this Christmas classic from 2021. Happy Holidays!Slovenia is a small country in Central Europe nestled between Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary. It's a land of snowy white peaks, g...

26 Des 202338min

Mini-Stories: Volume 17

Mini-Stories: Volume 17

It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's mini-stories season! Gather the kids around the fire because We have a year-end mix of short stories about a rogue architect, spooky kitchens, a hundred ...

20 Des 202348min

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