eaton u.s. blackout tracker 2011 annual report

© 2012 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.

Blackout Tracker United States Annual Report 2011

2© 2012 Eaton Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Blackout Tracker


About the Blackout Tracker

• This is a summary of the information presented in the Blackout Tracker Annual Report (available online as a PDF).

• Eaton Corporation has tracked power outage information since February 16, 2008 in an effort to educate visitors on the causes and impact of power outages. Although we do our best to track this information, we cannot guarantee that every power outage is included

• The Blackout Tracker is based on reported power outages in the U.S.: news services, newspapers, websites, etc. which often give statistics using different terms. For example, some reports may be based on “people” while others may be based on “addresses,” “homes and businesses” or “utility customers.” For purposes of this report all of these are assumed to be and are counted as people.

• Submit your own power outage reports online

http://powerquality.eaton.com/info/request_information_pp.asp?id=538&key=&leadg_Q_QRequired=False&site=&menu=

http://powerquality.eaton.com/info/request_information_pp.asp?id=538&key=&leadg_Q_QRequired=False&site=&menu=

http://blackouttracker.powerware.com/index.htm

http://powerquality.eaton.com/info/GenStart.asp?id=539


Other power outage trackers

• Australia / New Zealand• Canada• United Kingdom

http://blackouttracker.powerware.com/indexo.htm

http://blackouttracker.powerware.com/index-ca.htm

http://blackouttracker.powerware.com/indexUK.htm


Introduction

• Two parts to report• National power outage data• Power outage data by state

• Power outages affected people in all 50 states in 2011 • 41.8 million people affected by 3,071 outages.• In 2010, 17.5 million people affected by 3,149 outages, 13.5

million/2,840 in 2009, 25.8 million/2,169 in 2008

• Productivity and monetary loss• Power outage recovery time*

• 33+%>day, 10%>week• 48 hours to reconfigure network, data re-entry takes days or weeks

• 33% of companies lose $20K to $500K**• 20% lose $500K to $2M, 15 percent lose > $2M**

source: *Price Waterhouse, **US Department of Energy


Introduction

• Estimated costs for US Economy• $80 billion to $188 billion per year*

• Number of large blackouts growing in number• Affecting 50K or more people

• 41K in 1991-95, 58K in 1996-2000, 92K in 2001-2005*• 42K in 2009, 52K in 2010, 109K in 2011**

Source: *Technology Leadership Institute blog

** Blackout Tracker Annual Report


Top outages for 2011

• Top three most significant reported outages• Hurricane Irene – 6 million people lost power from

North Carolina to Maine• Human error – 4 million people affected in Southern

California and Arizona• Surprise fall snow storm – 1.75 million people

affected from Mid-Atlantic to Maine

• Top five reported data center outages• University of Arkansas, US Airways, Lunarpages,

Colo4 and the State of Washington


Top five states with most reported outages

1. California (371)

2. New York (159)

3. Texas (153)

4. Michigan (143)

5. Pennsylvania (134)

Note: California ranked #1 for 2009 and 2010. New York and Texas ranked either #2 or #3 for each of these years.


Top ten most unusual outages/causes

1. Flying trampoline – strong winds picked up a trampoline and dropped in a substation (Spokane, Wash.)

2. Deer…with wings? – a bald eagle dropped a fawn on power lines (East Missoula, Mont.)

3. Paragliding mishap – paraglider collided with a power line. Fortunately, the paraglider survived. (Salt Lake City, Utah)

4. Boat – a boat being towed knocked down five power poles (San Leon, Texas)

5. Race car – a race car flew over the wall at Peoria Speedway and hit a power line. (Peoria, Ariz.)


Top ten most unusual outages/causes

6. Beaver miscalculates tree’s trajectory – a beaver cut down an aspen tree that hit a power line. (Durango, Colo.)

7. Huge dust storm – the storm, 50 miles wide and thousands of feet high cut power. (Phoenix, Ariz.)

8. Small balloons – mylar balloons got tangled in power lines. (Oakland, Calif.)

9. Big balloon – a hot-air balloon got tangled in power lines…no one injured. (Albuquerque, Minn.)

10. It’s a long hike up – a snowcat struck a transformer…entire Monarch Ski Area lost power. (Monarch Pass, Colo.)


Overview of national power outage data

• 41,817,145 = Total number of people affected by outages

• 122,368 hours (85 days) = Total duration of outages

• 3,071 = Total number of outages• 21,109 = Average number of people affected

per outage• 221 minutes = Average duration of each

outage


Reported power outages by cause (national data)


Top five states outages by cause

Animals

1. Ohio (14)

2. Illinois (12)

2. Massachusetts (12)

4. California (11)

5. North Carolina (9)

Faulty Equipment / Human Error

1. California (141)

2. New York (39)

3. Texas (38)

4. New Jersey (35)



Top five states outages by cause

Vehicle Accident

1. California (31)

2. Oregon (15)

2. Texas (15)


5. Illinois (11)

5. Washington (11)

Weather/Falling Trees

1. California (141)

2. New York (39)

3. Texas (38)

4. New Jersey (35)



Reported outages by month

Note: Data collection began February 16, 2008.


Reported outages by region

Note: Data collection began February 16, 2008.


Reported outages by animal type

National Squirrel Appreciation Day is January 21st.


Pros and cons of underground power lines

• 40% of reported outages caused by weather and 8% caused by vehicle accidents

• Why aren’t all power lines buried?• Cost - $1 million/mile (10x above ground cost)• Cost of transmission lines - $5 million/mile (10x

above ground cost)• Underground lines cost more and take longer to

repair• Underground lines are susceptible to flooding


Power outages by state

• Four parts• Outage summary• Outage fact• Chart of power outages by cause• Chart of power outages by month


Alabama

Total number of people affected by outages 836,418Total duration of outages 286 minutes (over 4.5 hours)Total number of outages 43Average number of people affected per outage 39,829Average duration of outage 57 minutes

Outage summary

Reported power outages by cause


AlabamaReported power outages by month


AlaskaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 60,800Total duration of outages 455 minutes (over 7.5 hours)Total number of outages 21Average number of people affected per outage 6,756Average duration of outage 65 minutes (over 1 hour)


AlaskaReported power outages by month


ArizonaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 334,361Total duration of outages 1,620 minutes (27 hours)Total number of outages 57Average number of people affected per outage 9,288Average duration of outage 101 minutes (over 1.5 hours)


ArizonaReported power outages by month


ArkansasOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 174,964Total duration of outages 275 minutes (over 4.5 hours)Total number of outages 26Average number of people affected per outage 10,935Average duration of outage 69 minutes (over 1 hour)


ArkansasReported power outages by month


CaliforniaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 6,622,964Total duration of outages 18,279 minutes (over 12.5 days)Total number of outages 371Average number of people affected per outage 22,759Average duration of outage 250 minutes (over 4 hours)


CaliforniaReported power outages by month


ColoradoOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 300,305Total duration of outages 2,280 minutes (38 hours)Total number of outages 60Average number of people affected per outage 8,342Average duration of outage 152 minutes (over 2.5 hours)


ColoradoReported power outages by month


ConnecticutOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 1,513,542Total duration of outages 1,725 minutes (over 28.5 hours)Total number of outages 72Average number of people affected per outage 32,203Average duration of outage 246 minutes (over 4 hours)


ConnecticutReported power outages by month


DelawareOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 97,687Total duration of outages 325 minutes (over 5 hours)Total number of outages 17Average number of people affected per outage 9,769Average duration of outage 163 minutes (over 2.5 hours)


DelawareReported power outages by month


FloridaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 269,507Total duration of outages 658 minutes (nearly 11 hours)Total number of outages 71Average number of people affected per outage 7,486Average duration of outage 60 minutes


FloridaReported power outages by month


GeorgiaOutage summary




GeorgiaReported power outages by month


HawaiiOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 78,960Total duration of outages 860 minutes (over 14 hours)Total number of outages 20Average number of people affected per outage 8,773Average duration of outage 430 minutes (over 7 hours)


HawaiiReported power outages by month


IdahoOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 23,487Total duration of outages 1,708 minutes (over 28 hours)Total number of outages 26Average number of people affected per outage 1,382Average duration of outage 142 minutes (over 2 hours)


IdahoReported power outages by month


IllinoisOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 1,831,354Total duration of outages 1,992 minutes (over 33 hours)Total number of outages 129Average number of people affected per outage 21,545Average duration of outage 125 minutes (over 2 hours)


IllinoisReported power outages by month


IndianaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 353,660Total duration of outages 1,073 minutes (over 17.5 hours)Total number of outages 51Average number of people affected per outage 12,195Average duration of outage 98 minutes (over 1.5 hours)


IndianaReported power outages by month


IowaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 52,305Total duration of outages 5,030 minutes (nearly 3.5 days)Total number of outages 32Average number of people affected per outage 3,077Average duration of outage 503 minutes (over 8 hours)


IowaReported power outages by month


KansasOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 92,794Total duration of outages 655 minutes (nearly 11 hours)Total number of outages 27Average number of people affected per outage 5,800Average duration of outage 131 minutes (over 2 hours)


KansasReported power outages by month


KentuckyOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 428,883Total duration of outages 1,045 minutes (nearly 17.5 hours)Total number of outages 31Average number of people affected per outage 21,444Average duration of outage 209 minutes (nearly 3.5 hours)


KentuckyReported power outages by month


LouisianaOutage summary




LouisianaReported power outages by month


MaineOutage summary




MaineReported power outages by month


MarylandOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 1,598,143Total duration of outages 3,420 minutes (57 hours)Total number of outages 83Average number of people affected per outage 33,295Average duration of outage 263 minutes (over 4 hours)


MarylandReported power outages by month


MassachusettsOutage summary




MassachusettsReported power outages by month


MichiganOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 1,767,881Total duration of outages 4,055 minutes (over 67.5 hours)Total number of outages 143Average number of people affected per outage 17,504Average duration of outage 312 minutes (over 5 hours)


MichiganReported power outages by month


MinnesotaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 146,080Total duration of outages 1,435 minutes (nearly 24 hours)Total number of outages 30Average number of people affected per outage 8,593Average duration of outage 159 minutes (over 2.5 hours)


MinnesotaReported power outages by month


MississippiOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 8,040Total duration of outages 45 minutes Total number of outages 14Average number of people affected per outage 1,340Average duration of outage 45 minutes


MississippiReported power outages by month


MissouriOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 322,991Total duration of outages 1,033 minutes (over 17 hours)Total number of outages 60Average number of people affected per outage 11,138Average duration of outage 79 minutes (over 1 hour)


MissouriReported power outages by month


MontanaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 40,465Total duration of outages 2,385 minutes (over 39.5 hours)Total number of outages 42Average number of people affected per outage 1,686Average duration of outage 149 minutes (nearly 2.5 hours)


MontanaReported power outages by month


NebraskaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 60,637Total duration of outages 810 minutes (13.5 hours)Total number of outages 22Average number of people affected per outage 5,512Average duration of outage 162 minutes (over 2.5 hours)


NebraskaReported power outages by month


NevadaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 46,485Total duration of outages 525 minutes (over 8.5 hours)Total number of outages 17Average number of people affected per outage 4,649Average duration of outage 131 minutes (over 2 hours)


NevadaReported power outages by month


New HampshireOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 314,550Total duration of outages 390 minutes (6.5 hours)Total number of outages 37Average number of people affected per outage 12,582Average duration of outage 195 minutes (over 3 hours)


New HampshireReported power outages by month


New JerseyOutage summary




New JerseyReported power outages by month


New MexicoOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 169,743Total duration of outages 780 minutes (13 hours)Total number of outages 16Average number of people affected per outage 18,860Average duration of outage 195 minutes (over 3 hours)


New MexicoReported power outages by month


New YorkOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 10,918,400Total duration of outages 2,654 minutes (over 44 hours)Total number of outages 159Average number of people affected per outage 94,124Average duration of outage 166 minutes (over 2.5 hours)


New YorkReported power outages by month


North CarolinaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 1,075,314Total duration of outages 2,270 minutes (over 37.5 hours)Total number of outages 81Average number of people affected per outage 19,913Average duration of outage 162 minutes (over 2.5 hours)


North CarolinaReported power outages by month


North DakotaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 107,900Total duration of outages 1,075 minutes (nearly 18 hours)Total number of outages 18Average number of people affected per outage 13,488Average duration of outage 179 minutes (nearly 3 hours)


North DakotaReported power outages by month


OhioOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 782,544Total duration of outages 2,351 minutes (over 39 hours)Total number of outages 121Average number of people affected per outage 9,316Average duration of outage 181 minutes (just over 3 hours)


OhioReported power outages by month


OklahomaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 95,612Total duration of outages 382 minutes (over 6 hours)Total number of outages 33Average number of people affected per outage 4,157Average duration of outage 76 minutes


OklahomaReported power outages by month


OregonOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 400,609Total duration of outages 4,980 minutes (nearly 3.5 days)Total number of outages 65Average number of people affected per outage 8,176Average duration of outage 208 minutes (nearly 3.5 hours)


OregonReported power outages by month


PennsylvaniaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 1,425,656Total duration of outages 18,772 minutes (over 13 hours)Total number of outages 134Average number of people affected per outage 18,046Average duration of outage 1,173 minutes (over 19.5 hours)


PennsylvaniaReported power outages by month


Rhode IslandOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 543,865Total duration of outages 160 minutes (over 2.5 hours)Total number of outages 17Average number of people affected per outage 67,983Average duration of outage 80 minutes


Rhode IslandReported power outages by month


South CarolinaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 108,126Total duration of outages 580 minutes (over 9.5 hours) Total number of outages 42Average number of people affected per outage 4,915Average duration of outage 97 minutes (over 1.5 hours)


South CarolinaReported power outages by month


South DakotaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 18,352Total duration of outages 90 minutes (1.5 hours) Total number of outages 5Average number of people affected per outage 4,588Average duration of outage 90 minutes (1.5 hours)


South DakotaReported power outages by month


TennesseeOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 472,902Total duration of outages 1,967 minutes (over 32.5 hours) Total number of outages 46Average number of people affected per outage 16,307Average duration of outage 281 minutes (over 4.5 hours)


TennesseeReported power outages by month


TexasOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 802,269Total duration of outages 2,175 minutes (over 36 hours) Total number of outages 153Average number of people affected per outage 10,155Average duration of outage 95 minutes (over 1.5 hours)


TexasReported power outages by month


UtahOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 547,021Total duration of outages 3,236 minutes (nearly 54 hours) Total number of outages 32Average number of people affected per outage 23,784Average duration of outage 231 minutes (over 3.5 hours)


UtahReported power outages by month


VermontOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 74,030Total duration of outages 138 minutes (over 2 hours) Total number of outages 14Average number of people affected per outage 6,169Average duration of outage 69 minutes


VermontReported power outages by month


VirginiaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 1,543,313Total duration of outages 1,972 minutes (nearly 33 hours) Total number of outages 87Average number of people affected per outage 27,559Average duration of outage 152 minutes (just over 2.5 hours)


VirginiaReported power outages by month


WashingtonOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 251,436Total duration of outages 3,669 minutes (over 2.5 days) Total number of outages 91Average number of people affected per outage 4,122Average duration of outage 167 minutes (over 2.5 hours)


WashingtonReported power outages by month


West VirginiaOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 195,732Total duration of outages 711 minutes (over 11.5 hours) Total number of outages 37Average number of people affected per outage 8,156Average duration of outage 142 minutes (over 2 hours)


West VirginiaReported power outages by month


WisconsinOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 445,052Total duration of outages 13,153 minutes (over 9 days) Total number of outages 89Average number of people affected per outage 7,296Average duration of outage 598 minutes (nearly 10 hours)


WisconsinReported power outages by month


WyomingOutage summary


Total number of people affected by outages 9,200Total duration of outages 491 minutes (over 8 hours)Total number of outages 8Average number of people affected per outage 3,067Average duration of outage 123 minutes (just over 2 hours)


WyomingReported power outages by month

eaton u.s. blackout tracker 2011 annual report

Education

reported power

reported outages

power lines

power outages

power line

total number

blackout tracker

964 total