Our electricity is something we rarely give pause to think about. If you're like me you flip on a light switch without ever giving a thought about running out. Today, however, it is very much on my mind.
All of our electricity is diesel generated. There is no "grid" of any sort bringing in electricity from elsewhere, it is all produced locally. Yesterday, the power here was taken shut down for less than half an hour while some lines were repaired, it was work that was planned for, and for which we were warned.
Then, in the evening, we began having a series of power failures, plunging the entire town into darkness. After the last one we got the word that we were down to one generator, and needed to ration power until a mechanic arrived. I went around, making sure all our lights were out, that the clients were aware, and that all the subtle energy users (the toys and gizmos that stay in standby mode) were off or unplugged. We watched TV, basking in its glow, and I read to Travis and Hilary by headlamp.
Today we are expecting a series of rotating power outages (2 hours off at a time) to conserve use, and ease the strain on the one remaining generator. For if we lose it…
I arrived here at the height of the Y2K madness. I said at the time, and it applies today, that if there were a catastrophe and we no longer had power, or outside travel/communication, that this would be one of the best places in the world to face it. Sure it may be cold and soon there the sun will set until February, but most people here have mad survival skills. It was not that long ago that everyone lived up here without electricity. While it would certainly be challenging, people here would have a better handle of living the old ways and I'm sure we'd make out okay.
But it is unlikely to get to that. A mechanic, and hopefully all the parts he needs, will be arriving on this evening's plane. The remaining generator will not likely fail, and in a day or two (hopefully) all will be back to normal. Although I may just read to the kids by the light of my headlamp for a while longer anyway.
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How true. When we had a power out here a few weeks ago, the entire community came to a screeching halt – and it wasn’t even cold!
Events like this definitely make you appreciate modern conveniences. We had our own little reminder here not too long ago. We had a broken sewage line which led to us not being able to use any water at the house for 12 days. A trying experience to be sure but an interesting reminder of how we so often take water for granted.
In Cape Dorset we are down to one water truck which creates a real sense of what water is worth. Been through it before in Pangnirtung and it is doable, as long as everyone understands the problem and doesn’t make more demands than the system can handle.
It doesn’t take much to drive home our dependence on these things does it Allmycke?
That’s insane Darcy, 12 days! Back when I was a Member we had no water for about a week, because someone paid the drivers not to deliver to me as I was “busting too many people for drugs.” I was more than a little cranky.
We’ve often been down to one truck here Lesleigh, I suppose we should put some of those conservation techniques we use then into practice all the time. The power shortages only lasted a day here by the way, so we got off lucky.
We live at our cabin most of the year. It’s not in the frozen north, but it is off the grid. We could live without electricity (we have propane for cooking, refrigeration and lights) but it is nice for reading lights and charging all of those devices that we like to have. In the winter we only get about four hours of sunlight on the best of days. That’s not enough for our solar system to keep up and we hate the noise of running a generator. What we do have in the winter is a wood stove going all the time. We just ordered a thermoelectric generator from http://www.tegpower.com. We haven’t installed it yet but I am excited about the possibilities. – Margy
I’ll have to check out that site Margy.