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Blackouts: a sociology of electrical power failure

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Electricity fuels our existence. It powers water purification, waste, food, transportation and communication
systems. Modern social life is impossible to imagine without it. This article looks at what happens when the power
goes off. It scrutinises the causes and consequences of accidental electrical power cuts. It begins by identifying the
reasons for power failure. In doing so, power generation systems are identified as critical infrastructures. They are
more fragile than is commonly supposed, and the argument is made that they are getting frailer. Irrespective of cause,
blackouts display similar effects. These social patterns are identified. They include measurable economic losses and
less easily quantified social costs. Financial damage, food safety, crime, transport issues and problems caused by
diesel generators are all discussed. This is more than a record of failures past. It is contended that blackouts are dress
rehearsals for the future in which they will appear with greater frequency and greater severity. Increasing numbers of
blackouts are anticipated due to growing uncertainties in supply and growing certainties in demand. Supply will
become ever more precarious because of peak oil, political instability, infrastructural neglect, global warming and the
shift to renewable energy resources. Demand will become stronger because of population growth, rising levels of
affluence and the consumer ‘addictions’ which accompany this.

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Ketersediaan

EJ20333

My Library

Tersedia

Informasi Detil

Judul Seri

-

No. Panggil

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Penerbit

: .,

Deskripsi Fisik

16 p.

Bahasa

English

ISBN/ISSN

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Klasifikasi

NONE

Tipe Isi

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Tipe Media

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Tipe Pembawa

online resource

Edisi

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Subyek

-

Info Detil Spesifik

Ejurnal

Pernyataan Tanggungjawab

-

Versi lain/terkait

Lampiran Berkas

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