Cold Weather Could Lead to Power Cuts for Unexpected Reasons
Experts warn that cold weather may cause power outages due to increased heating demand and snowfall impacts
Greater Manchester, UK, Power Cuts, Cold Weather, Heating Demand, Snowfall
Greater Manchester: So, it’s been super cold lately, right? An energy expert, Taco Engelaar, shared some insights on how this chilly weather could actually lead to power outages. He’s the managing director at Neara, a company that helps utilities with infrastructure.
Interestingly, it’s not just the cold itself that causes the issues. It’s how we all react to it. When temperatures drop, most of us crank up the heat to stay cozy. Normally, that’s fine, but when everyone does it at once, it can create a big problem.
Imagine everyone trying to boil water during a commercial break – that’s the kind of surge we’re talking about. Engelaar pointed out that when millions of homes turn on their heating simultaneously, it can really stress the power grid, leading to potential outages.
But wait, there’s more! Snowfall is another concern. With the recent snow in Manchester, he mentioned that heavy snow can weigh down tree branches. If those branches break and hit power lines, it can cause serious damage.
Plus, ice and frost can add extra weight to the lines, making them snap or short-circuit. And when visibility is low, it’s tough for repair crews to find and fix the problems quickly.
Engelaar reassured us that utilities are working hard to strengthen the infrastructure. They’re even using new tech like AI to predict where snow and ice might cause issues, helping them stay ahead of the game.
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