Apparently some 30 or so years ago here in the UK there was a strike that forced electrical power to have to be shared on a day-by-day basis to areas of the country, as there simply wasn't enough power to supply everyone, all of the time. This went one for a while.
I figure that back then, electricity sharing probably wouldn't of been too much of a major headache, but im wondering what the consequences might be if it were to happen again (With the uncertain future of the UK's electricity supply) - As a rule of thumb I figure the country would probably go into meltdown.
Just to start a list:
- Commerce and banks would literally "shut down" - Tills, ATM's, credit cards, etc
- Business and office work would become practically impossible
- Schools would suffer (Electronic whiteboards, IT etc)
- IT enterprises and hospitals would have to rely to a great extent on backup and generator supplies
- What about traffic lights? Mass transport systems?
- Water/gas facilities?
- Phone network? (UPS systems are in place, but could they keep the system running on just 50% mains power?)
- Power surges knocking out equipment when power comes back online?
- Devices that rely on power 24/7 - VCR's, Free-To-Air boxes, satellite, newer TV's... Even automatic doors?
I’m wondering if anyone here might have experienced such drastic measures first hand (Including the one I mentioned - Comment!) or feels like adding to the list ;-)
Hodgkinson.
