Chuck DeVore: Texans and Californians learn that wind and solar are neither reliable nor affordable

For many Texans last week something was different during the first heatwave of the year.

But for many Texans, something was different during the first heatwave of the year. They woke up sweating because their thermostats had been turned up by their power companies.  What these Texas electrical consumers did, but in many cases didn’t recall or understand, is sign up for a program that offers rebates or lower electrical rates in exchange for the electric provider having the right to control a so-called "smart thermostat" that can be adjusted over the internet to save electricity when the grid is under strain.  This process is part of an array of tools used by power companies and grid operators called "demand response." Electric grids must generate power the instant it is used. This is becoming increasingly difficult as unreliable renewable energy—wind and solar—are making up larger amounts of the power grid.