Power plants generate electricity and send it into power lines that distribute energy to nodes, or sites, where it can be used. But if the electricity load is more than the system’s capacity, transmission can fail, leading to a cascade of failures throughout the electric grid.
This domino effect was responsible for the largest blackout in US history in 2003, which left 55 million Americans and Canadians without power at an estimated cost of $6 billion.
An even larger blackout in 2015 affected 57 million people in Italy. Blackouts cause ripple effects throughout the economies they affect, and they can be dangerous for people depending on electronics in hospitals. [Read more…] about Smart devices to schedule electricity use may prevent blackouts
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