Chris Talgo writes for the American Thinker about a critical need for the nation’s infrastructure.
In our modern age, the electric grid is the mother of all networks. Without electricity, advanced forms of transportation and communications virtually grind to a halt and nearly all digital and electronic devices are rendered practically useless. When the grid goes down, we lose conveniences like air conditioning, lighting, and other amenities that we often take for granted.
Several days ago, Spain, Portugal, and parts of France and Belgium lost power for an extended period of time, demonstrating just how devastating a total grid collapse can be to our modern way of life.
During this colossal blackout, the largest that Europe has ever experienced, more than 50 million people were left without electricity. Traffic signals did not work, creating utter chaos on the roadways. Subway systems couldn’t function, leaving people stranded far from home. Stores and businesses closed, as payments were limited to cash only. Mobile phone service was spotty, at best. Even some hospitals and medical facilities, which generally have backup generators, were left without power.
As of now, it seems that the sudden, system-wide grid collapse was caused by a malfunction at two solar power plants in southwest Spain.
Spain, like many other nations in Europe, relies heavily on renewable energy sources like solar and wind for a large share of its power production.
The problem with this is that these energy sources are inherently intermittent. The sun doesn’t always shine, and the wind doesn’t always blow. Therefore, these sources are much more susceptible to power disruptions.
For those interested in reading an in-depth analysis of the specific “causes, consequences, and challenges ahead” vis-à-vis the Spanish and Portuguese blackout, the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University recently produced an excellent comprehensive report.
Now, you may be thinking that enormous, system-wide blackouts could never occur in the United States, the most prosperous nation in human history. That is not only naïve, but dangerous.
