Blackouts in 2022: Let’s not repeat 2021
Jan 31st 2022:With snow storms whipping across the eastern coast of the US, blackouts are inbound for thousands of americans. Read this article so you can prepare.
Author: Elliot
February 2021 was a wake-up call for America’s grid system, but these changes don’t happen overnight – or even in a year. Despite states’ best efforts, a recent report of the nation’s infrastructure suggests there may be more of the same coming if winter storms get bad enough, especially Texas where a third of the energy demanded could be left out in the cold. Portable power stations plus solar panels can be a lifeline when the grid goes down.

Will there be another blackout in 2022 like the Texas deep freeze?
Potentially, but of course we won’t know when or where because massive power outages can occur when production doesn’t keep up with demand or the physical infrastructure fails. With crazy winter storms cranking up consumption and droughts lowering hydropower production, only time will tell what 2022 has in store. One report estimates that over a third of Texas’ power needs won’t be met if winter weather gets severe enough. The forces of nature also put several other states at risk of not having adequate power. The duration of outages seems to be getting longer as the US’s power grid ages, so it’s possible history will repeat itself in 2022 – though not necessarily in the same place.
What SAIDI can tell us about power outages

Data source: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual/html/epa_11_04.html
Shortest outages (2013–2020)
- Arizona – 11½ hours
- Washington D.C. – 12¼ hours
- Nevada – 12½ hours
- Nebraska – 14½ hours
- North Dakota – 15½ hours
Longest outages (2013–2020)
- Maine – 142 hours
- Louisiana – 124 hours
- West Virginia – 92 hours
- Alabama – 86 hours
- Connecticut – 82 hours

*2013–2014 values for Hawaii were unavailable and are represented as the average of 2015–2020.
Data source: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual/html/epa_11_04.html
Worst times for outages
- Maine 2017 – Wind storm (42 hours)
- Florida 2017 – Hurricane Irma (45 hours)
- North Carolina 2018 – Hurricane Florence (31 hours)
- Connecticut 2020 – Tropical Storm Isaias (50 hours)
- Alabama 2020 – Multiple gulf hurricanes (55 hours)
- Louisiana 2020 – Multiple gulf hurricanes (72 hours)
How to not repeat 2021 in 2022
Store and even make power with a portable power station in the event that 2022’s winter weather is more than the grid bargained for. They’re a battery with outlets for personal devices and even home appliances, and can charge from a wall outlet, car, or solar panel.
Before a blackout
Store energy from the grid in a battery with enough capacity to power essential devices and appliances for several hours. Batteries with around 500Wh of capacity will be enough for keeping personal devices charged, and those with around 3000Wh are better suited for several hours of using home appliances conservatively.
During a blackout
It’s important to note that portable power stations don’t make energy and rely on planning ahead and carefully monitoring the battery level. If it worries you that a blackout could drag on and on, there are three ways to keep your home powered.
What is the difference between a portable power station and a solar generator?
Without a formal definition in place, these two terms get thrown around a lot. An easy way is to think of a solar generator as a portable power station plus a portable solar panel. This makes sense because it’s generating its own energy rather than relying on stored battery power. Other than that, they’re pretty much the same thing. All EcoFlow portable power stations can be used as solar generators, which is a great way to stay powered throughout blackouts without drawing attention.
There’ll never be a better time to try out solar.
Solar panels still aren’t a normal part of most people’s lives, but if there was ever a time to try them out, it would be during winter power outages.