A Grid Down Scenario

B-R-O-W-N-O-U-T…

a time when you are in total hotness and/or total darkness…


Can you remember those times?

When you were watching your favorite T.V. show and suddenly the power goes down? When you were doing an important thing on the computer and it actually shut down? And when you actually blew the candle light as if it was your birthday?

Well…I do.

Actually, it lasts for couple of hours for MERALCO’s sudden failure of machines. However, when disaster strikes it can actually last for days or even weeks, that affects our way of lives.

Nowadays, electricity is inevitably important to all of us. Why? Just look around you. The answers are around you. From simple appliances and gadgets to communication and transportation, these are all run by electricity.

Nevertheless, what will it be if the power grid totally goes down?

According to The Preparedness Podcast, a “Grid Down” event or situation is an event where the power grid goes down.  In other words, a blackout.  Typically, Grid Down refers to a widespread event and one where the power isn’t expected to be quickly restored. A grid down scenario, then, would refer to any event that affects the ability to generate power on a wide basis.  Further, because the more serious of grid down scenarios involve very long period before the power would be restored, if ever, planning for it usually requires a combination of tactical and strategic planning.
Thus, this scenario was experienced in India.

 

According to Grid Insights, “ Reports of stranded passengers on trains, traffic lights no longer working, and electric crematoriums shutting down were only a small subset of the implications following recent power outages experienced at the end of July 2012 for almost 700 million Indian citizens.  I am referring to one of the world’s worst power blackouts that affected 20 of the 28 Indian states.  Almost three weeks after the failure of three of country’s five electricity grids, the government provided a report to investigate the cause of the failure.”

Imagine that?! This scenario paralyzed their country. It forced hospitals and airports onto backup power. Even some small businesses were forced to shut for the day. Buildings have no water because the pumps weren’t working, and the vaunted New Delhi Metro, with 1.8 million daily riders, was paralyzed during the busy morning commuted.

Now, if this would happen in our country, are we ready for this?