Recent Power Outtages, Replacement Power Supplies Options

[Timbo]

Apparently, yesterday was an energy emergency day or something, and entire blocks were suffering power outtages, cause of the increased heat and air conditioning 'n such. Apparently, the fan on my video card has stopped working since the blackout, which either means it just got blown out, or the PSU powering it got damaged somehow. Basically, the system reboots randomly without warning when it's engaged in something graphically intensive (Overheating).

I've already ordered a replacement fan to see if that'll fix it, but if not, what are some decent power supplies that would make good replacements? Might as well go upwards of 500W for this one. I've got a surge protector, so I sort of doubt that the PSU is to blame, but who knows.

Also, any other suggestions as to what the problem might be? The data I've gathered seems to point to a busted fan that's causing overheating, but any other opinions would be appreciated. Lemme know what info I gotta provide, if any. Thanks much

Timbo

[Seeker]

Parts of Houston went without power this afternoon as grid operators shut off service to make up for a shortfall of about 1,000 megawatts caused by the convergence of power plant maintenance season and exceptionally warm weather.

Beginning sometime after 4 p.m. today, officials with the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas, which monitors the grid for 85 percent of the state, turned off about 1,000 megawatts of power. What other parts of the state were affected is not yet clear.

The power emergency occurred due to a combination of factors, according to an ERCOT spokeswoman. April is typically a month where grid operators in Texas encourage power plant operators to schedule annual maintenance since the weather is usually mild.

Temperatures throughout the state have been warm, however, and power demand reached more than 40,000 megawatts over the last few days.

ERCOT officials put out a notice to the media this afternoon saying there was not sufficient generating capacity to reliably serve demand, calling it "an emergency situation."

"Therefore, it is extremely urgent that all electricity customers in the region reduce their use of electricity to the lowest level possible," the statement said.

Recommendations for cutting power use include setting thermostats at 78 degrees or higher, not using lighting, appliances or other equipment unless absolutely necessary for health or safety, and not opening refrigerators and freezers more than necessary

"ERCOT is doing everything possible to return to normal operations. However, if conditions do not improve ERCOT will be required to direct the interruption of electric service to portions of the region," the statement said.

At 3 p.m. today, ERCOT operators made a request to power plants in the service area to provide all the resources they could because of an increased demand in power.

At 4 p.m. ERCOT officials then asked for users with interruptible load agreements, namely some industrial power users who can stop using power on short notice, to make available some 1,150 megawatts of their demand for the rest of the system.

This second step usually takes care of most power demands the state faces, an ERCOT spokeswoman said, but it was not enough. Shortly after 4 p.m. 1,000 megawatts of "firm load" was cut.

Why don't they halt the maintenance and reschedule it when temperature cools off? There's supposed to be a cold front coming in soon. Secondly why not March? It's much milder than April.

Don't you guys remember back when Enron's energy traders were doing this in California? They had some cute excuse for why they didn't have enough power to supply demand and started turning off plants, redirecting power, and hiking rates.