- link Copy Url
- [  Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Why Does the Power Go Out When It’s Cold? https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/43417?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter")
- [  Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/43417?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin")
- [  Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/43417?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook")
- [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Why Does the Power Go Out When It’s Cold?&body=ESG News from The Great Energy Challenge https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/43417?absolute=1 "Share via email")
 
 

 [Utilities](/CSR-News/utilities)

 # Why Does the Power Go Out When It’s Cold?

 

##### Posted by Erich Gunther of IEEE

 

 

 Jan 24, 2014 10:30 AM ET

  Campaign:  [The Great Energy Challenge Energy Blog](/news/campaign/great-energy-challenge-energy-blog)  

[Why Does the Power Go Out When It’s Cold?](http://energyblog.nationalgeographic.com/2014/01/23/why-does-the-power-go-out-when-its-cold/)

The extreme cold temperatures experienced by a large part of the United States this month have highlighted the vulnerability of power systems equipment in such extreme weather. This week’s snowstorm led to power outages in the Northeast, but cold weather alone can be enough to cause problems: The Tennessee Valley Authority, which serves 9 million people in the Southeast, urged customers Thursday to conserve energy to prevent a cold-weather outage. The average person might ask, why would my power go out when it’s just cold outside?  
  
[Read more on The Great Energy Challenge Energy Blog](http://energyblog.nationalgeographic.com/).



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/Screen_Shot_2014-01-03_at_4.14.25_PM.png)](/profiles/great-energy-challenge)

 



 

### More from The Great Energy Challenge

###### [Can Houseplants Really Clean the World's Smoggiest City?](/news/can-houseplants-really-clean-worlds-smoggiest-city)

 Dec 30, 2014 12:30 PM ET

  



###### [Big Energy Question: Clearing the Air? Challenges and Opportunities in India](/news/big-energy-question-clearing-air-challenges-and-opportunities-india)

 Dec 23, 2014 12:30 PM ET

  



###### [In Climate Talks, Spotlight Turns to India](/news/climate-talks-spotlight-turns-india)

 Nov 26, 2014 9:20 AM ET

  



###### [A Slew of Coal Plants Get New Lease on Life—With Gas](/news/slew-coal-plants-get-new-lease-life-gas)

 Nov 21, 2014 9:05 AM ET

  



###### [In Sao Paulo, Experts Eye the Future for Brazil’s Energy Mix](/news/sao-paulo-experts-eye-future-brazils-energy-mix)

 Nov 19, 2014 1:15 PM ET

  



###### [6 Questions About What's Next for Keystone XL as U.S. Senate Votes](/news/6-questions-about-whats-next-keystone-xl-us-senate-votes)

 Nov 18, 2014 2:30 PM ET

  



###### [Quiz: What You Don’t Know About South American Energy](/news/quiz-what-you-dont-know-about-south-american-energy)

 Nov 17, 2014 2:30 PM ET

  



###### [Tiny Batteries Could Revolutionize Green Energy](/news/tiny-batteries-could-revolutionize-green-energy)

 Nov 17, 2014 12:40 PM ET