That was the same problem in Texas. Everyone went on and on about how dumb these dumb Texans are for being so stupid to not be connected to one of the national grids like smart adults are.
But there were big problems in OK and KS because the weather doesn't end at the grid boundary and the grid doesn't have an infinite carrying capacity. Just because there might be extra generation available somewhere doesn't mean that the lines between generation and consumption have the capacity to carry it.
I certainly never implied Texans were "dumb." It is the case that Texas' unique situation makes them LESS connected, and therefore less stable, right?
As far as everybody else, I think the calls for updating the grid for everyone have been around for a while and that's why Congress set aside a bunch of money for it? Because it was needed and everybody agrees? No need to make this partisan. I think everybody favors a more robust grid, even folks who voted against the legislation for other reasons.
Depends on situation, I suppose.
Winter 2 years ago, it was a total cluster-f caused by generators not being properly weatherized (the owners chose to pay ridiculously small fines rather than weatherizing the equipment), extremely low temp and high demand. In that case the was grid less stable than it could have been by own doing.
We also had a shortage a few months ago when solar farms were not producing enough because of cloud coverage in west Texas, along with wind turbines not being propelled enough - and brutally high temperatures. That other time a “help” from other grids would come in handy and there was not much TX could have prepared on its own.
But there were big problems in OK and KS because the weather doesn't end at the grid boundary and the grid doesn't have an infinite carrying capacity. Just because there might be extra generation available somewhere doesn't mean that the lines between generation and consumption have the capacity to carry it.