Major Blackout Cutting Power to Manhattan Stresses the Critical Need for Backup Power
Unexpected equipment failures can happen anywhere, even in Manhattan. An explosion and fire at a substation on the night of Saturday July 13th apparently caused other substations to lose power and malfunction, causing a major blackout in Manhattan that cut power for several hours to subways, traffic lights, theaters and elevators, leaving over 70,000 New Yorkers without electricity. Police were kept busy evacuating passengers from stopped trains and subway stations and directing traffic in congested intersections; stores closed, credit card machines stopped functioning and theaters cancelled performances.
Elevators in high-rise buildings lost power. New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell reported that a task force from the NYPD and FDNY investigated building-to-building to assist any residents trapped in elevators. The National Guard was called in to assist with traffic control. New York utility provider ConEdison advised customers in the affected areas to switch off or unplug electrical appliances to avoid potential damage to the appliances when power is restored.
In our increasingly interconnected and electricity-dependent world, the impact of power outages that can occur suddenly, unexpectedly and at any intensity is severe and widespread. They can cause distress, panic, injuries and fatalities along with disruptions to business and loss of income, interruptions and damages to operations, systems and equipment of all kinds.
Because unexpected power outages are indeed to be expected, businesses, property owners and managers and communities can be prepared with backup solutions that kick in to supply power in the event of power shutdowns. Backup power for critical points will ensure that communications, lighting, elevators and other services critical during emergencies will continue to function, reducing disruption as well as preventing damages to valuable equipment and systems that can be caused by surges typical during grid power restoration.
In a world suffering from climate change and plagued by pollutant carbon emissions, it is good to know that innovative eco-friendly power solutions are increasingly available to provide clean power for backup in emergencies. Moreover, as the energy sector evolves towards a distributed model, these independent power sources can also generate power during peak demand times, increasing their value and improving their ROI.
“We are pleased to learn that following the widespread blackout that affected Manhattan this weekend, there were no serious injuries or fatalities reported and power and public safety were restored within hours,” commented Rami Reshef, CEO GenCell Energy. “Reliable backup power during such outages can significantly reduce disruption and damages.” For more information about ultrareliable backup power that can help businesses in New York City and everywhere be prepared for disasters of any duration before they strike and to minimize disruption, visit us at www.gencellenergy.com or send us a mail to team@gencellenergy.com.
For more details about the Manhattan blackout:
New York Times article:
CNN coverage:
WCBS880 report:
