Everyone is probably aware of the power outages that we will experience, but what about the problems that will be caused by the flucuations in the power grid? Most 120V AC devices are dependent upon a stable frequency of 60Hz, and a moderately stable voltage of 110V-125V RMS. Power generators must be PRECISELY regulated, or they will vary the output frequency and voltage. If the frequency and/or the voltage vary, which they most definitely WILL, any sensitive devices plugged into an outlet at the time will be damaged, possibly destroyed. Since FEMA, and those in power, have already stooped to a level of depravity that is hard to fathom, I am inclined to believe that they will try their best to destroy as much equipment as they can.

-- Anonymous, March 10, 1999

Answers

Dave, No, I am not aware of "the power outages that we will experience". Would you please inform me as to which utilities will experience outages, and which devices you are aware of that will trigger these? I have tested many protection and control devices and found not a single problem significant enough to trigger an outage.

I am also unaware of any voltage/frequency fluctuations. I would very much appreciate you sharing your information as to where these fluctuations will occur and what devices will cause them.

If you don't mind, please indicate whether the you have obtained the information about the device failure directly from the vendor or from independant test data. As you may be aware, we do not trust the vendors without independent verification. It would also be helpful if you could provide a copy of the test procedure and results or links where this can be found.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. The utility industry will be much in debt for your comprehensive research.

-- Anonymous, March 10, 1999

"While some compliance efforts are behind, the utility industry as a whole is configured to handle interruptions, blackouts, and natural disasters. A prolonged, nationwide blackout is not likely to occur. However, local and regional outages remain a distinct possibility depending upon the overall preparedness of the individual electric utility serving a given area. " -- Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem, Investigating The Impact of the Year 2000 Prooblem (Executive Summary)

-- Anonymous, March 10, 1999

Reporter, I read the utility section at the link you supplied (I hope my quick scan caught it all). Perhaps Pete was referencing the same, but even with the Senate summary referring to fact and fiction, I don't see the facts.

I would still appreciate Pete's facts (see the detailed request in prev. post) supporting his CERTAIN outages and voltage/frequency fluctuations. I would ALSO like to see the SAME info supplied to this forum that the Senate used to come to their conclusions regarding the "potential" for small scale outages.

I don't think that is too much to ask. Failed device name, test results showing its mode of failure, and the scenario wherein that device failure triggers the outage or voltage/frequency fluctuations.

Again, I'm not contesting the conclusions. I just assert that the facts supporting these conclusions would help me in my efforts. Don't you think at least the Senate would publish this to aid the utility testing and remediation efforts???

-- Anonymous, March 10, 1999

This is for both Pete and CL. You say you want some solid facts about power surges and fluctuations. Go to www.abqjournal.com/news/2news03- 11.htm for a current story directly from the utility.

-- Anonymous, March 11, 1999

I still see no facts. Yes, a reporter wrote that a utility y2k project manager said these things. However, the context of the report is questionable in my mind. I do not think the PNM guy was "predicting" anything - just an engineer out of his realm dealing poorly with a reporters questions.

The basis for my opinion? Check out the following from the FAQ section of PNM's web page:

Q: Should I buy a generator, and unplug my electrical equipment and appliances on New Years Eve, 1999? Should I also I turn off my gas appliances? A: It is PNMs intention to be able to continue to supply electricity and gas to customers with a minimum of interruptions. PNM is taking appropriate steps now to minimize any effect that the Year 2000 problem may have on our ability to carry out that intention. However, if you feel that you need to take extraordinary steps based on what you know about the Year 2000 problem, you are always free to take any precautions you feel are necessary to guard against an interruption in your electrical or gas service.

It would take a massive, simultaneous loss of load to increase the system voltage significantly. Y2K will come on a weekend and is a big cultural event. I don't see many business working big shifts and generating much load. In fact, one of our major industrial customer is specifically planning to have as light a load as possible that night. Light load means even if it all goes down, very little impact. It would have to be sudden and massive loss of load to be a problem.

Utilities deal with business processes shutting down, starting up all the time. Even whole business trip off, and you the customer never see the impacts. We have ways of regulating the system in the event of load fluctuations.

As for an increase of load, that will be covered by having spinning reserve available - as noted in the PNM article.

I don't think there is much to this. Reporter asks utility to speculate on a hypothetical, utility responds with contingency plan for the hypothetical, reporter writes hypothetical as factual prediction. I would be more willing to consider this real if the article mentioned specific industrials that are panicking and predicting a Y2K problem, and the amount of load that could be suddenly lost, and why they aren't planning to shut the business down and let the workers off for the weekend so as to not contribute to the anxiety of Y2K.

-- Anonymous, March 12, 1999

Do you have access to the EPRI embedded systems database which is said to contain testing results?

http://ye ar2000.epriweb.com/year2000/initiatives.html

-- Anonymous, March 12, 1999

yes

-- Anonymous, March 12, 1999