Comment Software bug was just one part of bigger problem (Score 5, Informative) 207
The software bug was just one piece of a much bigger problem; I wouldn't want to overstate its' role. There were many other factors; here are just a few:
Poor vegetation management probably played an even bigger role as overloaded power lines warmed up, expanded and sagged into trees and bushes that were supposed to have been cut back.
Poor communications between utilities played a major role.
This whole section of the transmission system was known to be unstable.
An inadequate regulatory structure lacked teeth to deal with known problems.
Lack of adequate transmission line capacity
If all these other problems hadn't been in place, the software bug might never have surfaced. And certainly, the rpoblems would have been contained within a much smaller area -- maybe just First Energy's service area.
An article featured on Slashdot last year lays out the underlying complexity of the power grid very well: "The World's Largest Machine"
Poor vegetation management probably played an even bigger role as overloaded power lines warmed up, expanded and sagged into trees and bushes that were supposed to have been cut back.
Poor communications between utilities played a major role.
This whole section of the transmission system was known to be unstable.
An inadequate regulatory structure lacked teeth to deal with known problems.
Lack of adequate transmission line capacity
If all these other problems hadn't been in place, the software bug might never have surfaced. And certainly, the rpoblems would have been contained within a much smaller area -- maybe just First Energy's service area.
An article featured on Slashdot last year lays out the underlying complexity of the power grid very well: "The World's Largest Machine"
