[ Spotlight: Energy solutions ]
Blackouts The UK distribution system has also suffered from significant under-investment and it is estimated that something in the order of £110bn is required to renew our ageing generating and distribution capacity. Where is this going to come from? The investment could be raised through taxes or private investment, which means that the price paid for the power will have to rise further to pay back investors. Ultimately, though, that means the consumer pays. When one looks forward, there seems only one way for the price of electricity to go – and that is up. But even expensive energy is going to look good when you compare it to no energy. The blackout scenario above is obviously a worst-case one, and things may not be as bad as shown in the 2013 Channel 4 ‘info-drama’ on prolonged power outages. We might get so-called ‘brownouts’ – reduced voltages – first. But it really will pay to be prepared for local, relatively short, power outages. Consider how helpless you feel when your IT fails
for even an hour; how would you or your business cope with power cuts of a few hours’ duration? Could you carry on? Will important data be lost? And what about your staff? Will you actually be in danger? Will you lose customers? It is prudent to consider these questions now, while we have a good power margin and power cuts seem unlikely. Now, let’s look at homes. Do not think that
just because you have fitted renewable energy sources, such as solar PV, that you will have power. The invertor relies on incoming mains for synchronisation and stops if there is no grid energy. No power means no heating, as the gas boiler and pumps also stop working. No lights, no PCs or television, no charging phones or tablets. If you have a gas hob, you can do some cooking and heating in the dark. This happened to thousands of people over the recent Christmas period, when power was lost for several days. Do you have candles and blankets ready, and portable heaters? We are so
When one looks forward, there seems only one way for the price of electricity to go – and that is up
used to reliable power supplies that most people have probably not got candles, batteries or portable stoves. Ask anyone who lost power over Christmas 2013 and they either stayed at home and wore their entire wardrobe, or went to relations or friends who had power.
Solutions Electrical contractors can provide a range of possible solutions – and pragmatic advice – to both business and domestic consumers. They are in an excellent position to understand the cause and effect of power outages, and can assist in installing alternative supplies, such as portable generators and batteries. Think about businesses. How will they cope?
Obviously, the larger companies with bigger premises, such as retailers and occupiers of offices in
24 ECA Today March 2014
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