This news podcast episode examines the contrasting approaches of California and Texas to managing their power grids, focusing on the role of grid-scale batteries. The episode begins by describing a near-blackout situation in Texas in September 2023, highlighting the crucial role of batteries in preventing widespread outages. It then contrasts Texas's free-market approach, where battery companies profit from price spikes in electricity, with California's more centrally planned system. A key example is Aeolian, a Texas-based company whose batteries stabilized the grid during the crisis, earning significant revenue. The episode concludes by noting that while Texas's approach is rapidly increasing battery deployment, the debate continues on whether a more planned approach might be more effective and environmentally conscious.
