Power supply for DART and LUAS in power cuts

ixoy

With the threat of upcoming power cuts, how would it affect the running of the DART or Luas? Are they deemed essential services under contingency plans or will they be crippled? Is supply flowing in at different places meaning different sectors could be cut off?
I assume there's back up generators but they'd only last for a certain amount of time. Even if the line still held power, surely the stations and ticket machines would not.

thomasj

ixoy wrote: »

With the threat of upcoming power cuts, how would it affect the running of the DART or Luas? Are they deemed essential services under contingency plans or will they be crippled? Is supply flowing in at different places meaning different sectors could be cut off?
I assume there's back up generators but they'd only last for a certain amount of time. Even if the line still held power, surely the stations and ticket machines would not.

I could be wrong but isn't the electricity for the DARTS supplied by independent company energia. Aren't they based in huntstown?

Not sure about luas though!

n97 mini

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/contingency-plans-in-the-event-of-a-blackout-29819201.html

Irish Rail has warned that there is no contingency plan strong enough to continue to power Luas and Dart services

While diesel trains could operate in other parts of the country, Irish Rail relies on electricity for signalling and to light stations and run ticket machines.

Looks like the diesels might not be running either!

corktina

why would IE warn about power outages on the LUAS?

n97 mini

Maybe they just know?

Pablo Sanchez

If there was a all out strike and no electricity, i assume that all workplaces would close. Would hospitals still be able to run, im sure their generators could only last so long?

murphaph

If they affect hospitals in any meaningful way it'll give the govt carte blanche to literally smash the ESB unions. They'll be careful to avoid that I think.

Victor

Let's keep this relevant to Commuting & Transport and not get into the nitty-gritty of the dispute.

Moderator

---

I think any potential impact will be relatively modest and certainly not as bad as the strikes in the 1970s and 1980s.

1. Luas generates it's own electricity at Sandyford. Normally this is sold into the grid at peak times.
2. ESB / Electric Ireland only has about 40% of the All-Ireland generation capacity. Even if no ESB or wind generation is available, there would be perhaps 5,700MW of other generation available against a peak demand of about 7,000MW (peak demand in the last 24 hours was 6,024MW). So, even if some ESB or wind capacity is online, there would be no problems.
3. Eirgrid, not ESB controls the network.
4. Most modern power stations can run for several days with minimal staffing, i.e. management only.
5. Issues will primarily arise when something goes wrong - a fault or breakage that needs repair.
6. The worst effect would be after an extended period of dry weather, followed by calm, clear skies - the weather would be at it's coldest and wind and hydro generation minimised.
7. Peak demand tends to be between 3-7 pm, on work days, with cold, clear weather. Take a look at http://www.sem-o.com/Pages/default.aspx

Pablo Sanchez wrote: »

If there was a all out strike and no electricity, i assume that all workplaces would close. Would hospitals still be able to run, im sure their generators could only last so long?

Hospitals have generators, but they also tend to be prioritised for supplies - different areas are on different circuits. If there is a need to cut supplies, residential areas would be targeted during the day and commercial areas in the evening.

n97 mini

Victor wrote: »

3. Eirgrid, not ESB controls the network.

I think this is on paper, and that the work is actually done by ESB Networks.

If ESB cut 40% of the power from the grid, there will be blackouts, and these will be during rush hour.

cython

Looks like this won't be an issue after all, the strike notice is being withdrawn: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/deal-results-in-withdrawal-of-strike-threat-at-esb-1.1621044

Jamie2k9

It would of never came to a all out strike, people and media were just to worried.