In this episode, Eric Bell sits down with Russell Fletcher to unpack what it really means to operate a modern power grid in Texas. Russell shares how ERCOT keeps generation and load balanced at 60 Hz, why transmission congestion matters as much as megawatts, and what “black start” recovery looks like when the grid goes dark. They revisit Winter Storm Uri, including how close Texas came to a statewide blackout, and discuss the growing challenge of fast-ramping AI data centers, behind-the-meter generation, and reactive power. Along the way, Russell connects lessons from Navy nuclear submarines to grid operations, where calm, training, and clear communication can make all the difference.

Chapters

00:00 Eight minutes from blackout

00:55 Improv class origin story

02:17 Get to Know You in 60 Seconds

07:27 From submarines to grid

14:25 Governors, droop, and reserves

18:10 Winter Storm Uri ops

20:13 How black start works

26:20 Behind-the-meter generation risks

41:06 Data Center War Story

45:04 Top Picks

Get to Know Russell Fletcher in 60 Seconds

Late nights or early mornings? - “About 15 minutes in the afternoon… maybe 30.”

New York or California? - New York

Chicago or Dallas? - Dallas

Sweet or salty? - Sweet

Introvert or extrovert? - Both (depends on the time)

Prefer a meeting or email? - Email (so he can ignore it)

Phone or text? - Phone call

Favorite food? - Strawberry cheesecake (and chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy)

Favorite sport? - College football

Who’s your team? - Georgia Bulldogs and UT Longhorns

First job? - Catching rattlesnakes and selling them for antivenom

Data Center War Story

Mid-patrol on a nuclear submarine, a split-second mistake shuts down the reactor controls underway, and suddenly the whole engine room is watching the clock while senior leadership rushes in to review the logs.

Top Picks

Theatre & Academy - A community-based way to build confidence, think on your feet, and get better at real-time communication through improv and acting classes.

ERCOT Grid and Market Dashboards - A simple, public view into what the Texas grid is doing right now, including demand, reserves, and generation mix.

Resources Mentioned

Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)

CAISO Today’s Outlook

PJM Data Viewer