backup generation (gas) is not working. As mentioned. When your only on-demand source of generation is only profitable in peak periods its a recipe for disaster.

Again, this is not what is actually happening. Texas has heaps of on demand natural gas generators. They froze up with the storm and failed to turn on. Has nothing to do with renewable.

Texas gas plants aren't "backup generation". Those are always available, almost always on, full-time-operated facilities.

Yes in Texas gas is used for base load.

Strangely the rules under which some of them operate involve them paying for gas at spot prices (or at least during peak demand), and with spot gas prices being so high (due to pipeline failures limiting supply, and gas for heating having precedence) they had the option to stop generating...

It sounds like in texas's case, the backup generation (renewables) aren't built up enough to take over for when traditional power goes down

Renewables aren’t backup generation. They can’t be activated on demand to cover dips.