Power grid still vulnerable
Economic losses were estimated at as much as $10 billion. Five years later, the North American electrical power grid is still highly susceptible to severe disruption.
“The vulnerability of our outdated electric transmission and distribution system is a major liability with serious implications for our national resilience, security and economy. If a tree branch can cause such a devastating failure, imagine what could happen in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster,” according to Kenneth Nahigian, Reform Institute Senior Advisor and author of the recent Institute white paper, The Smart Alternative: Securing and Strengthening Our Nation’s Vulnerable Electric Grid.
“Instead of ignoring what happened five years ago and hoping for the best, we must embrace the lessons of that experience and work towards a modernized energy infrastructure that is more resilient, secure, reliable and efficient.”
“As a key part of our critical infrastructure, revitalizing and strengthening our electrical grid must be a national priority,” added Cecilia Martinez, Reform Institute Executive Director. “Implementing the next-generation ‘Smart Grid’ will be essential to U.S. resilience and energy sustainability.”
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Calgary's electricity use soars in frigid February, Enmax says
CALGARY - February was so cold in Calgary that the city used enough extra energy to power 3,400 homes for a whole year.
Enmax Power Corporation, the primary electricity utility in the city, says the city 's energy consumption was up 22,000 megawatt hours last month compared with Februray 2018.
"We've seen through this cold period our system has held up very well. It's been very reliable," Enmax vice-president Andre van Dijk told the Calgary Eyeopener on Friday. "You know, in the absence of a windstorm combined with cold temperatures and that sort of thing, the system has actually held up pretty…
