Con Ed executed a remarkable hands-on power-saving strategy to avert disaster yesterday (emphasis mine):
“In the two electrical networks that make up that area, high-voltage feeder cables began to fail. … The utility took the extraordinary step of taking its own headquarters, at 4 Irving Place near Union Square, off the electrical grid and putting it on generator power, and having crews race door to door on the East Side, urging businesses and residents to shut off power.”
In a swift reaction, my building—across the street from Con Ed headquarters—powered down almost all of the commercial and residential space for several hours. Power was restored before the end of the work day, and a crisis was avoided. Nice work.