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U.S. Department of Energy
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Con Ed tells how it happened. [July 13, 1977 power failure]

Journal Article · · Electr. Light Power (Boston); (United States)
OSTI ID:7088032

Consolidated Edison Co. (Con Ed) thinks the July 13 blackout may have been caused by equipment that didn't perform as expected after experiencing lightning damage. The failure should have been prevented by an automatic load-shedding system that was designed to avoid a cascading failure. An interim report withholds blame until all the data has been analyzed in a second report due at the end of August. Con Ed doesn't expect to honor the over 4000 claims made against the utility. The system recovered quickly and was able to supply a record peak demand the next week because of minimal damage to generating and transmission equipment. New procedures to avoid future blackouts require more manpower at major substations, increased in-city generation to compensate for a loss of feeders, continuous manning of gas turbines, and a larger central control staff. Con Ed was also directed by the Public Service Commission to submit weekly status reports on the system and forecasts of its ability to meet the next week's demand. The sequences of events leading up to the blackout is outlined. (DCK)

OSTI ID:
7088032
Journal Information:
Electr. Light Power (Boston); (United States), Journal Name: Electr. Light Power (Boston); (United States) Vol. 55:8; ISSN ELLPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English