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The older coal and all nuclear baseload plants require attended operation, and the shutdown of only a few could take the entire grid down, similar to what happened two years ago. Without power, most residential and industrial gas and oil heating will not work, water pumping stations and residential and municipal well-fields would have to run on emergency power, which might only last for a limited time.
It is not clear how much reserve exists with respect to critical personnel (i.e., how much absenteeism can the system withstand and for how long) and whether there are concrete plans for back up, for example by using management personnel. Anyone with knowledge of planning in this sector is invited to contribute.
Problems and Solutions | References | Emergency Electricity Generation | Other Issues | Forum
We need electricity for just about anything. The critical personnel would be the power plant operations and maintenance people (including linesmen in the field to handle storm damage, etc.).
Problems and Solutions
Problem 1
Approximately {I don’t know how many} people work in electricity plants in the United States (ref). During a pandemic, it is expected that a third of these workers will be seriously ill, or fearing to go to work, at the same time. In some places it will be less than a third, and in other places it will be more, always for a limitted time (perhaps one or more weeks).
Solutions
- Cross-train other employees at the plant to perform essential functions.
- Stockpile personal protective equipment, such as N95 masks and gloves, to help prevent infection of essential workers.
- Consider moving electricity plant employees to the first tier for vaccine, when it becomes available.
References
- Google for the data we need
Emergency Electricity Generation Systems
Other Issues
Forum
Discuss this page and make suggestions for corrections and additions at this Forum thread.
Planning Efforts by major north-eastern U.S. grid operator PJM (Pennsylvania - Jersey - Maryland Power Pool): Includes presentations by PJM officials, Con-Ed emergency management director, Philadelphia Department of Health official, and others.
- Pandemic Planning for a Resilient PJM Electric System