Substations or high tension lines. Both are very easy targets!

 

technically this guy was a copy cat. They've had previous experiences out in CA.
people are more nervous in NC so it's a bigger story, the folks in CA were more laid back about it for some reason.

 

I will say it is good that most engineers make a reasonable wage and feel vested in society,
you know 'cuz like we know how things sorta work and we like also know how to break 'em pretty easy man.

i like small untraceable bills like ya know.

just kidding.

 

It doesn't take an engineer to shot armor piercing rounds into transformers. I'm sure this is a wake up call for all 3,000 electrical companies in the US to develop and update their plans.

 

The one in Coyote CA is just south of San Jose and I have driven past it more times than I can count. It is very vulnerable.

 

There is nearly nothing that can be done to protect some of this equipment. Sure they can put up some cameras but that will do little to stop someone that wants to do damage.

Almost all of the switching equipment is outside and the transformers are large and are made to order. They are not just sitting off the shelf somewhere.

 

You are right, but beside rerouting where they can, they can stock up and be ready.

 

These companies don’t care about longevity or reliability, just short term profit.

 

The problem is you need the switching equipment to be near the load Dave. other wise you wind up with a massive amount of extra wiring needed. ( they'll steal that)
The switching stations are taking high voltage lines and bringing it down to local voltage 1.5 mega volts 3 phase down to 480v 3 phase.
You also can't just build up walls around the equipment as it needs massive amounts of air cooling.

 

Read the "Mitch Rapp" book "Total Power", it's a scary thought, even though it's fiction.