The recent power failure at Heathrow Airport stemmed from a fire at a nearby electrical substation, which plunged Europe's busiest airport into darkness for nearly 18 hours. While operations were halted, a data center located just half a mile away continued running smoothly thanks to its backup power systems. This incident underscored the significant differences in investment between airport infrastructure and the data center industry.
Energy expert Simon Gallagher, managing director of UK Networks Services, pointed out that airports like Heathrow have traditionally shied away from making the substantial investments needed for complete backup systems, opting instead for a cost-benefit approach that currently weighs against such upgrades. The airport's significant power demands, likened to that of a small city, could theoretically be supported by an extensive backup system. However, setting up such a system could take years and cost upwards of $100 million, a deterrent for many airport authorities.
As travelers faced delays and disruptions, the incident serves as a wake-up call regarding the resilience of critical infrastructure. With many airports operating on outdated systems, the conversation about the urgent need for more reliable backup solutions is now more pertinent than ever.
Energy expert Simon Gallagher, managing director of UK Networks Services, pointed out that airports like Heathrow have traditionally shied away from making the substantial investments needed for complete backup systems, opting instead for a cost-benefit approach that currently weighs against such upgrades. The airport's significant power demands, likened to that of a small city, could theoretically be supported by an extensive backup system. However, setting up such a system could take years and cost upwards of $100 million, a deterrent for many airport authorities.
As travelers faced delays and disruptions, the incident serves as a wake-up call regarding the resilience of critical infrastructure. With many airports operating on outdated systems, the conversation about the urgent need for more reliable backup solutions is now more pertinent than ever.
