Power Outage Questions From A Newbie

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Hello, all. I'm fairly new to this forum, but spent all last year reading every authoritive source I could find on Y2K. So, as a layman, I understood that it was primarily a chronic complex system problem, in spite of my rollover amazement.

Are we now past any significant risk of failure in the power grids?

I understood predicted risks in that arena to be based on anticipated problems caused by: 1)embedded date sensitive chips; and 2) non-compliant systems interconnecting with compliant; and incompatibilities of interconnecting systems which had been made compliant thru different not-compatible 'fixes.'

Is the embedded chip issue now obsolete, or can there still be serious malfunctions in utilities caused by these chips at this, or a later, date?

Is it safe to assume that any power grid-related computer systems are now *generally* operating normally as they connect to other systems in their respective NERC grid(s)?

I know many of us are still watching for the effects of date-related problems in billing/accounting systems, etc. - but apparently (please correct me if I'm wrong) these are not likely to produce power outages...

As I say, I'm a layman, and may not have stated the questions in clear terms. Hopefully well enough to obtain answers from others who know more.

For what it's worth, I did prepare, and am sharing the mixed emotions that many of us are now feeling. I suppose it's a normal human process of downwinding from having invested money, time, work, and endless research in preparations for a specific threat which (so far) has not materialized.

Thank you. Best to all!

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2000

Answers

Jim and other Forum participants,

Please see my most recent post to "Are We Traveling Through A Cyber Mine Field? (Frank P. DeFranza, 2000-01-02)" It supplements what you are asking.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2000


Thank you, Frank - I'm rereading that now.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2000

Hi Jim. IMHO, your assumptions are correct: The embedded system issue as it relates to the power system is essentially dead, with the minor possibility of leap day problems. Virtually all load is back to normal levels. Initial checks with key suppliers also appears to look really good.

Software/accounting/billing is still an issue, but these won't shut off power.

You phrased your questions just fine.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2000


Thank you, Dan.

If anyone reads this (at this late date), can anyone with superior programming experience (embeddeds) comment on the fifth paragraph in the Discussions section in Dr. Mark Frautschi's as it relates to utilities infrastructure? Was Dr. Frautschi wrong? Even a Yes or No answer would be appreciated...

http://www.tmn.com/~frautsch/y2k2.html

I should add...I'm honestly not trying to get anything started, or perpetuate any "doomer" sentiments on this respectable Board. I'm working my way through a process of making personal peace with this issue. But some things still confuse me, because I have no expertise to judge by. Just curious. No reply needed. Certainly no inappropriate back and forth antagonism. If that happens, I hope this thread is yanked into the ether.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2000


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