Restructuring contributed to US Black-Out, August 2003
(July 2005) A well-known group of US engineers was asked to evaluate the root causes of the US black-out. The authors see deregulation and restructuring as being the cause. Laws of economics replaced the laws of physics. Market fundamentalism permeates the industry and that makes making recommendations for change difficult. The authors try. Some of their recommendations are:
Before implementing a new market design, ensure and demonstrate that the design’s impacts on the reliable operation of the power system have been fully evaluated.
Investigate the effects that extensive labor reductions have had on overall national reliability, and on the ability to cope with national disasters and acts of terrorism
Investigate and monitor reductions of maintenance expenditures as indicated in reports to FERC as a part of FERC’s reliability monitoring function.
Power Engineers Supporting Truth (USA)
The authors have also been active to establish the organisation Power Engineers Supporting Truth. Its section with publications and other material is worthwhile having a look at www.pest-03.org
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