The Oil Drum

172 comments on DrumBeat: June 7, 2006

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

totoneila on June 7, 2006 - 3:45pm

Hello Mudlogger,

Your Quote: "Slowly, gently, we are being softened up."

Please contrast with Zimbabwe's harsh 'reality beating' as Olduvai Gorge Theory asserts itself:

------------
ZIMBABWE again has been hit by a wave of nationwide power outages in winter as the struggling state-owned electricity utility increasingly fails to ensure reliable supplies.

Reports from Zambia said yesterday that that country's recent countrywide blackout was related to Zimbabwe's supply system.

Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, and other towns have for the past few nights been plunged into darkness as the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) cuts power in the face of continued shortages and distribution problems.

Plush suburbs in Harare such as Borrowdale and Glen Lorne and areas like Hillside and Hatfield, as well as teeming townships on the outskirts of the city, have been without power the past few days.

The Combined Harare Residents' Association said that the power cuts showed government had failed to provide basic social services. Education, health, transport, and water and electricity supply are near collapse as the economy disintegrates.

Zesa said on Monday the worsening power shortages were due to "reduced electricity generation capacity, low tariffs, distribution problems and regional shortages".

Zesa owes foreign creditors a staggering $330m, making it technically insolvent. The crisis is compounded by shortages of foreign currency and spare parts.
-------------

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/world.aspx?ID=BD4A212040

Zimbabwe is the model of how not to gracefully decline--the US should be entropically planning ahead on how to best shrink and relocalize electrical distribution to maximize uptime. Recall the posting whereby the US military controls the 'juice'.

I have said it before, but I will say it again: utilities need to be ramping prices much faster than inflation to have adequate funds to prevent blackouts. The rapid shedding of thieves, delinquent consumers, and poor cash-flow corps is essential so that those that can afford juice will pay for it vs buying gensets for themselves.

Hopefully, US & state utility regulators are examining this COUNTRYWIDE COLLAPSE and realizing that the early forcing of millions off the postPeak grid is the best way to keep the remaining grid blackout free, well financed for parts and maintenance, and well-guarded against attacks [both foreign & domestic].

Bob Shaw in Phx,AZ Are Humans Smarter than Yeast?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

eric blair on June 7, 2006 - 4:46pm

buying gensets for themselves.

Whgat is wrong with having a PV genset you bought with your own money?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

totoneila on June 7, 2006 - 5:19pm

Hello Eric Blair,

Absolutely nothing--in fact, that is the optimal solution for nearly everyone, but what tiny % of the US will ever be able to afford this? Recall that hurricane victims buy gensets instead of PV panels to power their refrigerators, at the minimum.

PostPeak, those economically forced off the grid will resort to woodfires, kerosene space heaters, and ice chests-- expect a lot of house fires, carbon monoxide poisonings, and outbreaks of food poisonings.

Bob Shaw in Phx,AZ Are Humans Smarter than Yeast?

Comments can no longer be added to this story.

DelusionaL on June 7, 2006 - 7:57pm

What a little staement- food poioning. Nat'l Geo just lately stated that refrideration has saved so many people comapared to all other modern machines. IMO it is the biggest reason to want some "homepower" set up. Lights heat, etc. can be had much easier.