The coronavirus, Filomena, the eruption of La Palma… and now a blackout that would leave much of the world without electricity for several days. The world seems determined to collide with an apocalypse, for which the government authorities do not stop looking for plans in order to be the best prevented if this were to happen. But before this last theory, it is convenient to analyze it precisely to know what real probability there would be of chaos.
The constant in recent months has been one more trigger to think that the world, with its epicenter in Europe, is close to exceeding its energy limits. With a major blackout as the final trigger, Austria has been the country that has alerted the rest of the States that in recent days are already working on plans in case this ‘blackout’ (blackout in English) occurs.
Origin of the Great Power Blackout Theory
And it is that the Austrian Government has been so clear in its theory about the electrical apocalypse that it has given cause to think about a clear materialization. With a to warn the entire population, informative posters and announcements have flooded the streets of Vienna and its surroundings in recent days.
“The question is not if there will be a big blackout, but when,” said the Austrian Defense Minister after presenting at the country’s high institutions. With great interest in the Army, this body was the first to recommend filling houses with supplies and tools in case the apocalypse came.
To support his fear, Austria has explained that it is a country highly dependent on hydraulic energy (around 50%, with higher peaks in times of drought). In addition, with a gas import of more than 20%, climate change, the closure of nuclear power plants, the increasing demand for electricity and a cyber attack would be the perfect combo to trigger this supply failure.
How do countries protect themselves against these blackouts?
Switzerland has been one of the countries that in recent months has suffered an attempted sabotage on its high-voltage line. To defend against these blackouts, all countries have reserve and surplus energy systems that cover these problems… always on a logical scale.
For its part, the electricity network itself has mechanisms that isolate potential failures and redirect electricity in a few hours (Spain witnessed this this summer after a failure in the connection with France). However, these plans studied by Austria would serve to cover a catastrophic situation and ensure energy in emergency places such as hospitals or fire stations.
Germany or China have already echoed the blackout
The Austrian plan is so clear that its German neighbors have already taken it into account, since several plants there will be closed in the coming years. He offers guidelines to follow at home in the face of a global blackout, recalling 15 years ago when snow left part of the country without power for six days.
China, for its part, has made a similar appeal to its citizens, recommending that they have a supply of food and tools at home in case another critical situation such as the coronavirus arrives. Regarding the blackout, the Ministry of Commerce considers that it could come from cuts in supplies due to the increase in the prices of essential products.
And in Spain, what plan is there before the big blackout?
Not so alarmist has turned out to be the Spanish Government. Through Vice President Teresa Ribera, the Executive considers that the supply of electricity is guaranteed since Spain functions “almost like an island”. With an electricity generation that doubles the demand, the interconnections with other European countries are practically non-existent, which in this case would serve as a defense.
What do the experts say before the great blackout?
However, extreme caution must be exercised because a failure is “inevitable”. This is how Fernando Vadallares, a CSIC researcher, or the economist Daniel Lacalle consider it, recommending following in the footsteps of Austria or Germany and seeing in their ads “a practical way of facing a harsh reality.”
So you can get warm without electricity
Given all this, if the big blackout arrives in winter, it would be key to know how to warm up without electricity consumption. either with stoves, or with a collection of wood and firewood, for smaller homes a candle and a pot can serve as .
In addition, the running water would also be affected as there is not enough pressure to rise through the pipes, so it is recommended to fill bathtubs and containers in case of a serious proximity to the blackout.
This would be the necessary kit before the great blackout and survival food
For its part, in recent days different ones have slipped for a few days until the power supply was repaired. Among the various proposals, in almost all of them the fact of having the following products at home coincides:
– Lantern.
– Water (two liters per person for five days).
– Radio with batteries.
– Candles and matches.
– Medicines and other necessary items for babies, elderly and disabled people.
– (canned food, oil, honey, rice, pickles or chocolate).
– Warm clothes or thermal blankets.
– Cash.
– Gas.
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