electricity grid, war, transmission towers, power lines, transmission line, country, civil wars, rational thinking,
money, developed world, guerrillas, standard of living, system, focus, redundant links, competitive links,
consumer
Unfortunately, power grids and generation plants
are often a primary target in today's wars. Shutting
down the grid hinders the ability to communicate
and manage a battlefield, but it also shuts down
the water pumps, sewer systems, and hospital operations.
Wars/civil wars are not good places for rational
thinking.
The modern world is more interested in the business
of making money. The developed world hasn't yet
seen guerrillas blowing up transmission towers.
As the standard of living improves in the developing
countries, there will be less interest in trying
to tear down the system, and more focus on everyone
trying to make it work. One of the prime reconstruction
projects in Iraq is to bring the grid back to full
operation.
Transmission lines are shut down by major storms,
lightning strikes, and regular maintenance. Grids
do fail for a variety of reasons, yet utilities
are quick to restore electrical service since money
is lost when there are no customers using your product.
With more redundant and competitive links built
for additional system security, the more reliable
the overall grid is to the operator and consumer.
