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https://theconversation.com/massive-outages-caused-by-cyclone-gabrielle-strengthen-the-case-for-burying-power-lines-199949>
"Another extreme weather event has highlighted the weak points in New Zealand’s
critical infrastructure. As Cyclone Gabrielle ripped across the North Island,
nearly 225,000 people lost power.
The cause is relatively obvious: many houses and buildings are connected to the
power grid by overground power lines. Overhead wires, a common sight around
many suburbs, are highly vulnerable to extreme weather events. When the winds
pick up, limbs and trees fall, and power lines are dragged down.
But one solution is equally obvious: bury the power lines. With the threat of
more frequent storms of increasing intensity, the risk to households,
businesses and personal safety demands this option be seriously considered.
Power outages mean more than just the inconvenience of a dark house or a dead
mobile phone battery. Many things we rely on, like fibre internet, home WiFi or
even our ability to make emergency calls, depend on an electrical connection.
Loss of power puts refrigerators and freezers full of valuable food at risk.
And many people rely on electricity for lifesaving medical devices in their
homes. Battery backup only offers a short-term solution. When the power goes
out, lives and livelihoods are put in danger."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
