Another gas cut.

[adam2]

In south west London this time.
A burst water main has caused water to enter the gas mains, and for safety reasons the gas supply has been cut of until the water can be removed.

This again illustrates the importance of being prepared for any failure of the gas supply.
Gas is more reliable than electricity but by no means immune from failures.

Do not count on mains electricity as an alternative. The extra electricity demand makes power cuts probable in areas lacking gas.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-51255120

[adam2]

There has been a gas supply failure in my area, not affecting me as I don't have any gas.
The degree of alarm was a bit worrying, considering the only moderately cool weather.

As has occurred in previous gas supply breakdowns, the electricity supply failed shortly afterwards.
The electricity supply companies only allow for average load of about 5 amps per household, this meager sounding allowance has a good record of being sufficient in practice.
If however each household uses an extra 10 amps (one fan heater) then a great undoing will assuredly follow.

The electricity company hired a large generator which relieved matters somewhat, though a number of deficiencies in the mains network were revealed.

This event does show the importance of not being totally reliant on utilities.

[Potemkin Villager]

There has been a gas supply failure in my area, not affecting me as I don't have any gas.
The degree of alarm was a bit worrying, considering the only moderately cool weather.

Out of curiosity Adam I wonder how the alarm was manifested and what particularly made it a bit worrying? I would think that electricity supply failure, and the knock on of gas central heating systems stopping, generally provokes greater alarm.

[adam2]

People in a state of near panic over lack of central heating, "I have got two babies, and no one has done anything to help me"
"they will have to get it back on soon, I cant cope"

And the perennial "gas costs me about £5 a day, I had just put £10 onto my prepaid gas meter, but had no gas for two days. How do I get my £10 back?"

And when the electricity supply also failed "they should not be allowed to do this"

[Potemkin Villager]

People in a state of near panic over lack of central heating, "I have got two babies, and no one has done anything to help me"
"they will have to get it back on soon, I cant cope"

But, but it isn't even very cold yet.........

[adam2]

Indeed, a bit chilly for the time of year, but not such as to need heating, in my view.
I have not yet lit my stove, nor turned on any other heating appliance.
I did sit with a blanket round me the other night, a sure sign of becoming an old fart.

The generator used by the DNO restored power, after a few false starts.

[kenneal - lagger]

It's been cold enough that I've been putting a fleece on over my t-shirt when sitting down.

[BritDownUnder]

It's been cold enough that I've been putting a fleece on over my t-shirt when sitting down.

I have just taken mine off and I don't intend to use it again until May next year.
The full fury of an Australian summer is just around the corner. I had a new larger solar system installed recently (maybe I will do a separate post) and I am very proud that I am generating 6.7 kW right now at 10:15am.

[vtsnowedin]

It's been cold enough that I've been putting a fleece on over my t-shirt when sitting down.

I have just taken mine off and I don't intend to use it again until May next year.
The full fury of an Australian summer is just around the corner. I had a new larger solar system installed recently (maybe I will do a separate post) and I am very proud that I am generating 6.7 kW right now at 10:15am.

That is pretty good. Considering that you are in the southern hemisphere and approaching the equinox and moving towards your summer that is a very good number. I hope to join you within a year or two but six months off from your production figures. Of course a significant margin less based on my latitude but possibly balanced by installing more panels to compensate for the difference in available sunlight.

[adam2]

And another !
On Jersey this timr.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-67045835
Due to a software fault.
Although the gas supply is more reliable than electrcity this sort of thing happens and should underline the importance of not not being too reliant on mains gas or indeed on other utilites.
Do not count on mains electricity as an alternative, power cuts often follow a gas cut as the distribution system was not sized for the extra load.
They only allow for an average of 5 amps per home in areas served with mains gas, adding just one electric heater per home can treble that.