Cat® Rental Power Solutions Offer Relief During Winter Storm Uri
In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri caused power grids to fail across the United States, resulting in one of the largest blackout events in modern U.S. history. When the cold wave from the storm hit Texas, power grids failed across the state when they couldn’t sustain the higher energy and heating demand from residents and businesses. At least 4.5 million people were left without electricity in subfreezing temperatures for hours or even days.
As the need for power became critical for so many Texas homes and businesses, Cat® dealer Energy Rental Solutions Cat (ERS Cat) stepped in to help. In addition to the Cat generator sets, 203 air compressors and 40 dehumidifiers helped support the local communities while the storm damaged the state’s electricity infrastructure and caused massive outages for more than a week.
Houston Zoo – Keeping the Gorillas and Giraffes Warm
In preparation for the winter storm, ERS sent three 230 kW generators to the Houston Zoo as a contingency plan in case power went out. The storm hit all areas, including the Gulf, harder than expected, and, as a result, additional generators were needed urgently to provide heat to the giraffe and gorilla enclosures. Within hours, ERS delivered two additional 350 kW generators. Thanks to the diligence of the Houston Zoo staff and ERS, all animals were able to maintain heat and safety.
City of Houston – Powering Water Treatment Plants
Water treatment plants around the greater Houston area lost power during Winter Storm Uri. ERS worked quickly to deliver five 800 kW generators, three 1,000 kW generators, nine 750-1500 kVA transformers, and cable to several well stations that had lost power, allowing them to become operational and supply water. Additionally, several other Houston area water treatment plants had generators which could have been operational if they could be powered on. ERS delivered 50 generator batteries to these units and assisted with powering them to operation. The quick actions by the City of Houston, surrounding cities, and ERS allowed water supply to resume for residents and businesses.
Natural Gas Pipeline – Getting Heat Back in Homes
Many natural gas lines around the Gulf Coast froze and became non-operational during the severe winter storm, cutting off homes from their heat source. ERS was called to deliver four 1,000,000 BTU heaters to frozen pipelines, which allowed the natural gas lines to be thawed to bring heat back to residents and businesses in Louisiana and Texas.
Walmart & Kroger – Getting Food and Water Essentials to Families
Without water, electricity, and other necessities, many businesses and families relied on their local grocery stores and supermarkets for essential needs to help them survive the storm. Unfortunately, many of these stores also lost power. ERS delivered 30 generators to Walmart and Kroger locations in Texas and Louisiana, supplying over 25 MW of power and allowing these businesses to stay open and support families in need.
City of Pearland – Stabilizing the Sewer Lines
While families were stranded at home to survive the winter storms last week, the City of Pearland, just south of Houston, encountered a serious issue. Due to lost power at their wastewater treatment plants, the sewer lines were down. Needing a power generation solution fast, the city called ERS, who sent two 800 kW generators to the wastewater plant—enough to keep the plants powered and the city’s sewer system operating until grid power was restored.
