2006 Auckland Blackout
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Auckland Blackout refers to the massive electrical blackout in Auckland
, the largest city in New Zealand, on 12 June 2006. It started at 8:30 am local time, with most areas of Auckland regaining power by 2:45 pm local time. It affected some 230,000 customers had an impact on at least 700,000 people in and around the city.
in New Zealand. Most of southern and central Auckland
, including the central business district, were without power.
, the city's main transmission switching station. A corroded shackle
connecting the Otahuhu to Penrose 220 kV line's earth wire had dislodged in 90 km/h (55.9 mph) winds, letting the earth wire fall across the 220 kV line and the 110 busbar below it, tripping both the line and three sections of the busbar, from which lines to Mount Roskill, Penrose and Pakuranga connected to. The trip also disconnected Otahuhu B and Southdown power stations from the national grid. The trip left only one the now-dismantled Arapuni to Pakuranga 110 kV line supplying Pakuranga, Penrose, and the central city. Eight seconds after the failure, this line tripped from overloading, leaving Penrose, Pakuranga, and central city substations without power, as well as parts of Otahuhu and Mount Roskill substations.
Investigation of this incident found that maintenance of the electricity transmission system was not adequate and that this substation had major and minor design deficiencies.
Since the central business district was without power from the morning rush hours, business operations and traffic were disrupted severely. Many businesses sent their staff home.
at 12:40 local time, 12 June 2006. It was estimated that all affected areas would have their power restored by 16:30 local time. At approximately 14:45, power was restored to most of Auckland, except Penrose
, Glen Innes
, East Tamaki
, and Otahuhu
.
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, the largest city in New Zealand, on 12 June 2006. It started at 8:30 am local time, with most areas of Auckland regaining power by 2:45 pm local time. It affected some 230,000 customers had an impact on at least 700,000 people in and around the city.
Immediate impact
Power went off at around 08:30 am local time on 12 June 2006 over half of AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
in New Zealand. Most of southern and central Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, including the central business district, were without power.
Cause
The cause of the blackout was traced back to the Otahuhu sub-stationElectrical substation
A substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system. Substations transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or perform any of several other important functions...
, the city's main transmission switching station. A corroded shackle
Shackle
A shackle, also known as a gyve, is a U-shaped piece of metal secured with a clevis pin or bolt across the opening, or a hinged metal loop secured with a quick-release locking pin mechanism...
connecting the Otahuhu to Penrose 220 kV line's earth wire had dislodged in 90 km/h (55.9 mph) winds, letting the earth wire fall across the 220 kV line and the 110 busbar below it, tripping both the line and three sections of the busbar, from which lines to Mount Roskill, Penrose and Pakuranga connected to. The trip also disconnected Otahuhu B and Southdown power stations from the national grid. The trip left only one the now-dismantled Arapuni to Pakuranga 110 kV line supplying Pakuranga, Penrose, and the central city. Eight seconds after the failure, this line tripped from overloading, leaving Penrose, Pakuranga, and central city substations without power, as well as parts of Otahuhu and Mount Roskill substations.
Investigation of this incident found that maintenance of the electricity transmission system was not adequate and that this substation had major and minor design deficiencies.
Effects
Due to the power outage, many public services and business operations were disrupted:- suburban commuter railway services were suspended
- over 300 groups of traffic lights were off
- some hospitals were closed and left only emergency services in operations
- radio station transmitters located in the Skytower were also taken offline for a period of time
- mobile phone and telephone service failures
- people stuck in lifts in office buildings
- end of semester exams due to be held that day at local universities were postponed.
Since the central business district was without power from the morning rush hours, business operations and traffic were disrupted severely. Many businesses sent their staff home.
Restoration of service
Power was restored to the central business district of AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
at 12:40 local time, 12 June 2006. It was estimated that all affected areas would have their power restored by 16:30 local time. At approximately 14:45, power was restored to most of Auckland, except Penrose
Penrose, New Zealand
Penrose is an industrial suburb in Auckland City, New Zealand. It is located to the southeast of the city centre, at a distance of about nine kilometres, between the suburbs of Oranga and Mount Wellington, and close to the Mangere Inlet, an arm of the Manukau Harbour...
, Glen Innes
Glen Innes, New Zealand
Glen Innes is a suburb located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is located nine kilometres to the east of the city centre, close to the waters of the Tamaki River.The main streets in Glen Innes are Line Road and Apirana Avenue, which meet at a roundabout...
, East Tamaki
East Tamaki
East Tamaki is a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. This is a mixed residential, light industry and retail area which is growing rapidly. Prior to the 1960s this was largely a dairy farming area. A landmark is Smales Mountain which in 2010 has the remains of an old Pa, a stone field garden, an early...
, and Otahuhu
Otahuhu
Otahuhu is a suburb of Auckland. It is located to the southeast of the city centre, on a narrow isthmus between an arm of the Manukau Harbour to the west and the Tamaki River estuary to the east...
.