Huge Power Blackout in India

[Mike]

670 million without power.

 

I know that, relatively speaking, we're well ahead of India in this regard, but I've read repeatedly over the years that our power grid is vulnerable to a massive failure of this sort. The last widespread blackout I recall in the U.S. was back in 2003.

 

So, here's what I'm wondering about: Are we as vulnerable as India? As vulnerable as we were in 2003. Is our situation getting better or worse?

[majrosebud]

I work in the power industry, and I would say we aren't as vulnerable as we were 10 years ago. It could happen, and will at some point, but the infrastructure built nowadays is built just to prevent that senario. Electric power companys are not as isolated as they once were. Our company (as most are) is a member of a co-op of companies that put their generation on a grid that feeds an entire region. In fact, we here in Nebraska, can purchase power from just about anywhere in the lower 48, and even parts of Canada, if we are having generation problems. We also sell power to other regions. That's where you can make some money.

[upflying]

Power generation and water supply is a perfect target for terrorists.

Of course I recall Enron, an economic terrorist who threatened to turn off power to Ca.

[upflying]

Forgot to mention, I have a Honda 2000watt generator when the energy apocalypse, Armageddon and Rapture occurs.

[Albert]

Forgot to mention, I have a Honda 2000watt generator when the energy apocalypse, Armageddon and Rapture occurs.

 

Don't worry Bob, I'll bring the pretzels and beer to the end of the world party.

[moshe_levy]

Mike:

 

There is a short article in TIME Magazine (also online here http://business.time.com/2012/07/26/obamas-smart-electrical-grid-plan/ ) which details recent upgrades to the grid.

 

As the article says there have been vast improvements over the past few years, but there is a long way to go. My own fear is that as things are digitized, which is inevitable and has many benefits, the grid itself becomes a hackable security concern. Do the benefits outweigh the costs? All in all I would likely say yes.

 

-MKL

 

PS - If power goes down I am more than covered, as I generate my electricity from the sun (and sell my excess back to the grid) and I also have a 14KW whole-house natural gas generator on an automatic transfer switch. So I'm all set for the Rapture too!

[OoPEZoO]

So I'm all set for the Rapture too!

 

The real question being.......since you live in NJ.....will you even notice if/when it happens?

[moshe_levy]

The old joke is "Finally! We've got this place to ourselves!"

 

-MKL

[AdventurePoser]

That power generator will also come in handy in case of Zombie attack...

 

 

[Boone60]

Forgot to mention, I have a Honda 2000watt generator when the energy apocalypse, Armageddon and Rapture occurs.

 

Have you taken that generator off the gas grid, and converted it to gasification yet?

 

[DiggerJim]

Side note to the OP question here.

 

I do a lot of offshoring in India (yeah, get over it, think what you will but it's a business necessity and not nearly as black & white ugly as folks tend to paint it). I was having lunch with one of my vendors today and we talked about the power problems over there. What really floored me was that 300 million people have no (as in zero!) electricity. Nearly the population of the US all living without power every single day. 19th century living in the 21st century!

 

Then there are another 3 or 400 million who are reasonably well to do (he's from an upper class family) and his parents only have commercial power about 8 hours a day. After that, they have to rely on their own production using gensets or sit in the dark. Amazing to me - thinking about the lights only being on for part of the day.

 

The rest are subject to random and frequent blackouts or brownouts. Very few have reliable consistent commercial power.

 

Here, it's not that common to have generators hooked up to the house. There, it's a necessity.

[moshe_levy]

The infrastructure is appalling. My uncle visits there for business once in awhile, and always comes back with stories of leaving his 5 star hotel and walking not 50 feet away from the entrance before the street degenerates into mud and feces in the gutter. It's a shame, but until they get their house in order, that will be the case. Look at how the Chinese have built their infrastructure, by contrast. Of course China still has vast underdeveloped areas, but compared to India, as we Jerseyans say, "Fughettaboutit!"

[Mister Tee]

I admit my knowledge of India is limited, but I've always viewed it as a place that generally didn't have power to begin with. Surprise surprise.