(CNN) When winter storms bring extreme cold, snow and ice as far south as Texas and Louisiana, power outages from downed lines are expected. But there are key lessons they say we must learn from Texas so that we are better prepared for the next disaster. Circling the region is a jet stream, a band of winds that blow west to east and provide a barrier of sorts between cold, arctic air and the warmer mid-latitudes. Texas' power grid -- at least so far -- has shown it is equipped to handle the cooling demands of a scorching Texas summer, when millions of air-conditioning units hum to make life indoors bearable. In general, diverse energy systems that draw on multiple sources are more resilient, Jenkins said.

Source: The Nation February 20, 2021 21:33 UTC