When the power goes out

Created: 09/27/2022, 06:00

By: Uta Künkler

The worst case: People sit at home in the cold, with only candles and flashlights providing light.

This risk cannot be ruled out in autumn and winter, especially in the south of the republic.

© Mario De Fina/dpa

Due to the electricity and gas crisis, a blackout in autumn and winter cannot be ruled out.

The authorities are preparing for this, and the citizens should too, advises the district administrator.

Erding - Almost nothing works in the modern world of the district of Erding without electricity.

No water, no heating, no petrol pump, no telephone, no internet, no radio mast, no mobile phone.

However, experts warn that the power grid could reach its limits in winter because many citizens switch to electric heating for fear of empty gas tanks.

And cyber attacks that would paralyze the infrastructure cannot be ruled out as a retaliatory strike in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Fortunately, these remain unlikely scenarios.

But the district is examining what to do in the event of a power blackout.

Nobody wants to stir up panic.

Nevertheless, the blackout issue has moved up the priority list a great deal.

District administrator Martin Bayerstorfer recommends that all citizens “personally deal with the issue in order to be able to help themselves and other fellow citizens”.

Specifically, Claudia Fiebrandt-Kirmeyer, spokeswoman for the district office, mentions the storage of drinking water and batteries: The district asks the citizens "if possible to keep an adequate water supply".

In addition, for vital devices such as mobile automatic ventilation devices, "own precautions should be taken" and batteries should be stocked accordingly.

Fiebrandt-Kirmeyer emphasizes that it is particularly important for the district of Erding to optimize the measures for a possible blackout lasting several days.

The basis for preparing for a possible blackout is the general crisis planning in the district office.

In their drawers there are not only plans for a power outage lasting several days, but also emergency scripts for challenges of all kinds - from the pandemic to flood scenarios, motorway accidents and accidents in various large companies in the district.

The management group for civil protection is in constant talks with the district fire brigades, aid organizations, the THW, the communities and neighboring district administration authorities, according to the spokeswoman for the authorities.

The fact that the district authority takes the threat of a blackout seriously is proven not only by close meetings of the crisis management team, but also by special exercises that are currently being carried out.

Just recently, a so-called black test was carried out at the Erding Clinic to simulate the effects of a total failure and to identify possible weak points.

In addition, Fiebrandt-Kirmeyer announced that a multi-day command center exercise on the subject of blackouts would take place at the end of September.

Emergency generators, which can be used to ensure the basic supply for at least a few days, make up the double bottom in the event of a blackout.

That is why a constantly updated overview of the systems in the district is indispensable for the crisis team.

Facilities such as the clinic or rescue workers and paramedics have their own emergency power generators.

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Individual municipalities also maintain corresponding systems.

For example, the municipality of Fraunberg has a twelve-cylinder emergency power generator with 175 kilovolt amperes that can be used immediately for feeding, informs Mayor Johann Wiesmaier, district chairman of the Bavarian Municipal Council.

If the worst comes to the worst, the water supply, among other things, would run through these systems.

If there were only a local blackout, the municipalities could also use other units from other municipal utilities as part of a municipal utility emergency power network, says Wiesmaier.

Fiebrandt-Kirmeyer informs that the system at the clinic was fully fueled and can thus supply the clinic with emergency power for around 70 hours.

The oil tanks for the heaters were also filled up for the upcoming winter.

If the supply of diesel for the emergency power runs out, it is contractually guaranteed that the house will preferably be supplied with diesel.

The digital radio used by authorities, emergency services and the police also depends on electricity.

Fiebrandt-Kirmeyer explains that the federal agency responsible for this guarantees a supply of 72 hours.

The integrated control center, which accepts emergency calls, has a double emergency power supply and is therefore self-sufficient.

In addition one plans the procurement of satellite telephones.

But even if the light goes out, nobody needs to worry.

Most failures are usually resolved quickly.

A days-long blackout is therefore unlikely.

Nevertheless, the district office advises citizens to take precautions and refers to the website of the Federal Office for Disaster Assistance (www.bkk.bund.de).

Because if you sit in the dark and then start worrying, it's too late.

ujk