Could this heat wave cause another blackout ?

Answer 1

Simply put, YES, this heat wave could cause another major blackout in many areas.


#1 People are going to use their A/C's just to use them. Right now it is so ridiculously hot, there is no cool wind and people are going to use their AC units to de-humidify the air in their living spaces. The heat is almost unbearable without them.
This puts extra strain on the City's electrical grids and only increases the likelyhood of generator explosions and wire fires.

#2 The heat puts extra strain on power plants themselves as well as power cables. In 88 degree heat two weeks ago, Con Edison suffered major critical power losses all over NYC for example. Now we have TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT. I was outside a while ago and it is considerably hotter than it was 2 weeks ago when we had a few days of extreme heat back to back.
I saw on the news this morning how the heat was deoxiginating ponds and water bodies and causing fish to die. This is really dangerous heat we're in right now


I don't think we will have another blackout, because the last blackout was due to a combination of errors ranging from computer failures to power generator failures. I pray to God they have straightened the system out. I doubt a blackout now would be as wide as it was in 2003.

Answer 2

anything is possible.

Heat waves often lead to electricity spikes due to increased air conditioning use, which can create power outages, exacerbating the problem. During the U.S. Heat Wave of 2006, thousands of homes and businesses went without power, especially in California and the St. Louis, Missouri area. In Los Angeles, electrical transformers failed, leaving thousands without power for as long as five days.

Answer 3

Yes because people use a lot of energy with there electric fans and air con to cool them down! So all the energy that uses runs out of something like that so there is a compleate power cut! Dont use some much energy the world coz wer all going to die soon!

Answer 4

Electricity no, but i'm sure that there will be a few people who will blackout due to the heat.

Answer 5

yes, it could, if people don't reduce the unnecessary demand on the power grid...running excess appliances that they don't need...turn off extra lights, use only 1 fridge if you have more than one in your house (some people do)

BTW, to the respondent that thinks enron had anything to do with the blackout of the northeastern U.S. in august of 2003...no they didn't...that was all power grid and nothing but power grid...a surge of electricity back-fed upstream, and the power grid did what it was supposed to do...it shut itself down, rather than allow the surge to backflow all the way to the generation infrastructure and causing an even bigger problem

Answer 6

Yes, I was just watching the news, and they said that we are at a max and to use ceiling fans, keep your thermostat where it is at usually around (78 degrees )!! Dont move it up and down, and turn things off when you are not using them. They did say this could possibly cause a black out. I hope not!!!!!

Answer 7

It's supposed to end on thursday...it's over 100 here and is supposed to feel between 110-120...I'm in Detroit and it's hotter here than in Florida, LA, or Arizona! So yeah, it's DAMN hot!

Answer 8

Some areas where I live have had mini black outs. Summer schools is also going to be canceled tomorrow to conserve energy. I'm roasting right now!

Answer 9

Yes.The blackout only happens if everyone has there air conditioner on.

Answer 10

mayb, if the heat keeps gettin higher most likely yes it is more likely 2 lower this fall thougjh