Reliable Blackouts

Introduction

The August 2003 blackout in the northeast and Midwest had many of us asking "Can it happen here in Wisconsin?" Certainly, the answer is "yes". Wisconsin's electrical grid is vulnerable to the same chain of events, system constraints, and regulatory issues that caused the blackout; unless we make aggressive changes, it might be our portion of the map that goes dark next summer. As individuals and energy consumers, we can begin to help ensure that this scenario doesn't come to pass. Using energy more efficiently and effectively in our homes, businesses, and schools is a great first step, as is movement towards the long-term development of renewable energy resources. Most importantly, we can share and promote the lessons of energy efficiency and conservation with our students, colleagues, and peers.

Background Materials

Websites

North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC)
NERC's mission is to ensure that the bulk electric system in North America is reliable, adequate and secure.
www.nerc.com/

U.S.-Canada Power System Outage Task Force: Interim Report
Explores the causes of the August 14th Blackout in the United States and Canada
https://reports.energy.gov/

National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration
Online satellite images posted by NOAA taken before and after of the historic blackout of the Northeastern United States, which plunged millions of people into darkness. www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s2015.htm

Other Resources

The Wind Farmers of East 11th Street

August 3, 2008, by Josh Weil

The New York Times 

FIVE years ago, the lights of the city that never sleeps winked out. It was the kind of situation that would have been tailor-made for a group of young architects who, in the 70s, took over a five-story tenement that didn't rely on the city's electrical grid. They lived at 519 East 11th Street, and they got their power from the wind.

www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/nyregion/thecity/03wind.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=The%20Wind%20Farmers%20of%20east%2011th%20st.&st

Healing the Grid
November 2003, by Minkel, J.R.
Scientific American v. 289 no. 5 p. 18, 20

Blackout: The Conspiracy Theory
November 2003, by Wilson, J.
Popular Mechanics v. 180 no. 11 p. 38, 40

Blackouts raise big combustion safety issues
November 2003
Power Engineering v. 107 no. 11 p. 18

No More Blackouts?
October 6 2003
Chemical & Engineering News v. 81 no. 40  p. 20-3

Post-blackout push creates opportunity for engineers
September 15, 2003, by David, M.
Electronic Design v. 51 no. 20 p. 21

Terms to Know

Electrical Grid - The power lines and support systems across which electricity travels from utilities to end users.

Classroom Ideas

Guest Speakers
1. Invite someone from your local utility to explain how electricity is generated and transmitted to the school and community homes and businesses. Tour the community and map its electrical grid
2. Contact someone who experienced an extensive blackout

Click here to find contacts for guest speakers in your area.

Energy Sparks
1. Have students try living a day without electricity. Share their thoughts and reactions.

Debate
1. Does Wisconsin need more transmission lines? See More Power to You (transmission lines and new power plants in WI) to learn more.

Student Involvement
1. After students research probable causes of blackouts, they should investigate how to avoid them. Students can develop a brochure or a poster display to communicate their findings to family and friends.
 

Assessment

Have students write a journal article about the blackout summarizing key causes and reactions. Ask them to investigate if a blackout can happen in their community.