Alberta issues emergency alert due to extreme cold, high risk of power outages

They say low imports are part of the problem. BC has been importing power recently due to drought conditions through the fall the reservoirs are low, so I imagine BC isn’t selling much power to Alberta. In fact Alberta is exporting 96 MW at the moment[0]

Sounds like some folks in Alberta are one technical or mechanical problem away from being pretty cold, frozen water pipes, half charged car, etc.

The price has gone to the ceiling of $.99 per kWh [1]

0: http://ets.aeso.ca/ets_web/ip/Market/Reports/CSDReportServle...

1: http://ets.aeso.ca/

Why is Alberta exporting then?

Could be contracts made ahead of time. Power takes the path of least resistance, they might not have that precise control on the intertie flows. Or perhaps BC and Saskatchewan are under generating themselves

Where I am, it is currently -8F, with windchill pushing -20F. You are chilled to the bone instantly if any part of your body is exposed to the air. I can’t imagine what -40 or -50F feels like

I can't imagine living in a place where the loss of power/heat can rapidly lead to death. Not many steps removed from living on another planet.