If we look at just wind and solar generation, we can imagine that more renewable deployment (especially solar) and ~4 hour storage could have provided basically all the needed power during this cold spell. (8/n)

Now how did my grid provide that electricity? And more importantly, how could it supply my power as Colorado continues its decarbonization path? Here is Xcel’s generation mix on these days (from EIA) (6/n)

It was cold last week, below -10°F in Boulder! So how did my system do? Most importantly, it kept my home comfortable. This chart has LOTS of data. (3/n)

5/ If you decide to follow the essay link, I predict you will stay for the beautiful writing and deft weaving of the dam’s history with the story of Egyptian singer ‘Abd al-Halim Hafiz. In fact, I suggest listening to Hafiz’s music while you read (I found Hafiz on Apple Music).

2/ Dr. Derr recounts how construction of a dam in 1902 along the Nile in Egypt led directly to a plague of serious diseases affecting the large populations that farmed the Nile’s shores.