We were awoken about 4 a.m. by an alarm system scared of lightning. While it protested, every other electrical device was silent and still, dead still.
 
Our neighborhood is split between Oncor/TXU and Garland Power & Light. We could still see the lights burning on the GP&L side. We learned there were challenges on the GP&L side of the line, but those utility customers, 85% of Garland, fared much better than the remaining 15%.
 
GP&L Director Ray Schwertner sent an e-mail to the Council this morning explaining the early morning events from the power utility perspective:

 
Early this morning a large band of severe thunderstorms moved across the D/FW region. Reports indicate that wind gusts reached speeds of 80+M.P.H. in some areas.
 
Utilities across the area suffered extensive damages. GP&L facilities have performed admirably. The voltage problems we experienced earlier today were a result of problems on the Oncor/TXU transmission system. With towers down and ongoing distribution damage occurring on their system, it created an unstable situation on the grid and developed into voltage variations greater than normal.
 
If you were watching TV at 4:00 a.m. this morning your picture would have varied in size and clarity as well as your clocks running slower due to low voltage. TXU had a multiple of transmission (345Kv and 138Kv) lines that were interrupted and when they attempted to bring them back in service it created instability. ERCOT operation finally got involved and redirected TXU until generation could be increased to handle the increased load.
 
Over time the system corrects itself and proper voltage is regained as well as stability of the system.
 

As a result of these storms Garland Power and Light experienced the following:

• 3 feeder relays, Marquis 3 at 03:58; Lawler 4 at 04:16 and Lyons 3 at 04:35, responded but no feeders were locked-out.
• 138kv line from Ben Davis to TXU Allen locked-out at 03:40—closed back at 03:48—locked-out again at 03:48—closed back at 05:25.
• Due to the loss of numerous 345kv and 138kv lines on the Oncor/TXU system, voltage was unstable and swinging from around 03:40 to about 05:20
• At this time GP&L crews are working lights-out calls in various locations throughout the city, no major customers, and no major outages.

 

 
In all the recent storms, the GP&L service area has been much less affected than the Oncor/TXU system that surrounds us. Maintenance levels are considerably higher on the GP&L side. It is times like last night that the difference is dramatically obvious. GP&L spends more effort to keep the system reliable but GP&L rates remain among the lowest in the Metroplex. The chart below shows the different rate plans available in Garland: 85% only has the choice of GP&L (the green bar) and 15% can choose among the rest. A spreadsheet with the data used to produce the chart is available here.
 

Click for larger, easier-to-read size. (Note that chart base starts at $100.)

 
GP&L customers have the better of two worlds: lower rates and higher reliability. The Council recently gave the green light to the Administrative staff and GP&L to sign a Power Sales Agreement that would enable GP&L to withstand market swings and to hold rates steady over the next few years. GP&L is working to keep their positive positions in both worlds, which can only be good for GP&L ratepayers.