Electrical power losses may create more havoc than other year 2000-based failures, although in developed countries most outages may be localized and may not last long, according to Y2K reports and Y2K authorities worldwide.
People depend more worldwide on a ready supply of electricity than on any other resource.
And sustained power losses could affect local food supplies, medical care, the ability to get money from banks, financial market transactions, fresh water, access to accurate information, manufacturing, and transportation, among other industry segments. The interconnected nature of power and other utilities was underscored in a recent year 2000 report from the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration. Utilities have a large number of embedded chips in their equipment and facilities, some of which are susceptible to Y2K mishaps, but which are time-consuming and costly to locate and test. News Radio Fusion audio primers Computerworld Minute Embedded chips had been of much greater concern when governments and companies first began tackling the Y2K problem months ago. Such chips are part of embedded systems, which control, monitor, or aid in the operation of machines and factories.