Analysis of the Effects of Blackouts and Supply Networks on Performance, Resilience and Viability

Abstract

A blackout, or the complete loss of power in a region (or a group of regions) for an extended period of time, can result from increased electrical demand, changes to the energy infrastructure, and disruptions in the energy supply. Production, shipping, and retail activities might all be severely impacted by this interruption. The degree to which supply chains (SC) are disrupted might vary depending on the size of the afflicted locations and the length of the blackout. Using anyLogistix digital SC twins, we conduct a simulation analysis in this work to determine the possible effects of blackouts on SCs with varying degrees of severity. One key finding from the simulation experiments is that various factors, including the duration of the blackout, the dynamics of power loss propagation across different regions, the simultaneous unavailability of supply and logistics, and the unpredictable behaviour of customers, may play a significant role in determining the impact of the blackout and influencing the choice of a suitable recovery strategy.