The next natural disaster to think about by Tony Green

Image of exploding Sun

Before Hurricane struck Katrina five years ago, the possibility of a direct hit from a Category 4 hurricane was overlooked as a doomsday scenario as experts pleaded with government officials to make the proper preparations. Unfortunately, the experts were right. 

Another theory which is not getting much attention is the impact a massive solar flare might cause on the electric grid. From time to time the sun produces flares which are a large energy release of electrons, ions, and atoms through the corona into space. By the way, next year solar activity is expected to reach peak intensity.

I used to belong to the group that paid no attention to this possibility until I received training on power transformers as part of my position as a sales engineer in the utility industry.

In short, a large flare would cause extreme currents to be induced within the transformer.  A flare could case enough internal damage to either ruin mechanically or deteriorate the insulation and or oil causing an immediate failure. The lead time is over a year for many power transformers so if a large number of transformers used to transport our electricity failed at the same time we might be in the dark for a long time.

Think about it, what if the grid was non-existent for four to six months before the power returned? How would people survive? The answer is they would survive in the same fashion as they did before the modern era. We‘d survive but I’m sure the event would involve some major change in all of our lifestyles as a result of the unexpected return to a time before universal access to electricity.

Does this sound impossible? Maybe you should think again on the next bright sunny day.

Women’s World Cup Final 2011 in the family by Tony Green

I had finished watching the drama of the penalty kicks at this year’s World Cup final between Japan and the United States. Prior to the match my daughter mentioned she wanted to view the final so she could see her two favorite countries play against each other.

On the surface this would seem contradictive to idea of pulling for your country in a championship game which is designed to determine a winner and a loser. However, since our children have citizenship in both nations and can speak Japanese and English at a fluent level why shouldn’t she be able to support both teams?

As the family watched the match we all felt the ebb and flow as momentum shifted back and forth from the United States seeming to have the World Cup won on several occasions and fulfilling its dream versus the rejoicing at the final penalty kick after battling back from multiple deficits to give Japan a bit of hope in light of the disaster than occurred last March and the on-going support and prayer which will be needed in spite of the daily updates on the calamity are no longer being in the news.

 

At the end there was a winner, a loser and the supporters of each side. The final was one for the ages, filled with action and drama played by two proud teams representing their countries. The winners and losers showed grace and class on both sides.

Admittedly, my daughter did not chose her nationalities, her mother and I determined that however, after today’s game the dignity of the two teams made both sides wonderful choices of countries to root for.