The Northeast blackout of 2003, that caused rolling brownouts and power disruptions affecting 55 million people in the US and Canada, brought to the forefront the critical dependence that we place on electrical power grid. Heightened awareness of Solar Storms that could cause power disruptions for as long as a month only create an added emphasis that the power we take for granted can disappear in the blink of an eye.

But for industry, the ramifications are further reaching. North America’s Industrial and Commercial businesses, rely on a constant source of power, and in turn use that power to feed the nation. Gone are the days of ample inventory and long lead times. Today’s industrial sector is Just-In-Time. In the event of any lengthy power disruption, unprepared companies will not be able to produce, and therefore sell their goods and services into the marketplace.

As with any disruption, preparation can minimize the potential impacts. Companies need to assess the risk they face by losing access to the grid. However, this needs to be done before any events occur.

Here are some questions companies should be asking themselves:
1. How long can remain open without power?
2. What types of contingencies do our suppliers have?
3. Where can I get help planning to avoid disruptions?

In many cases, temporary outages can be offset with temporary back-up power supply. These can range from very short-term, essential service back-up, to longer, ongoing power generators that use other sources of fuel to keep operations running.

But what should be done in the event that your company is caught unprepared. Ultimately the first responsibility in any commercial or industrial power outage is to ensure the safety of any individuals caught in the outage. This would require following established emergency procedures, which may include: taking attendance, meeting in designated areas, and determining the extent of the situation.

In the event of a prolonged outage, a company must determine what will be needed to get operations up and running as close to normal as soon as possible. A commercial and industrial electrical contractor may be your best friend in this scenario. Electrical contractors that offer emergency service will be able to determine your needs and be able to work with generator suppliers to get your company connected and producing goods and services once again.

The long-term lesson of the outage should not be lost in the immediacy of trying to restore power. An adequate assessment should be conducted to determine company requirements. Power outages will continue to occur in the future. By having a proper plan in place your company can continue to produce goods and services despite a lack of power from the grid.