Planning For Resilience: What Happens When The Power Goes Out?

To build resilience against power disruptions, BC professionals need to encourage teams within their organizations to take proactive steps.

power outage
Adobe Stock/Guy Sagi
By Preston Knauer

The power grid is struggling. Soaring demand for electricity combined with a constant need for energy around the clock are compounded by severe weather events that can strike unexpectedly. The result is widespread outages and disruptions. As Hurricane Beryl underscored last summer, these weather events are here to stay and are going to recur. Each instance emphasizes the crucial need for proactive preparedness in an organization’s power strategy. To effectively manage and mitigate the impact of emergencies, it’s essential for organizations to have a solid plan and backup support.

So, how can business continuity and resilience professionals help their organizations effectively prepare for the unexpected? To build resilience against power disruptions—whether due to severe weather or other emergencies—all departments will need to take proactive steps. This means not only putting systems in place but also planning for the team, be that internal or external, that will be there to help manage unforeseen challenges.

To prepare for worst-case scenarios, here are six questions to consider when preparing organizations on how to navigate power emergencies effectively.

What’s The Crisis Plan?

A robust crisis plan is essential for managing severe weather events. This plan should include clear protocols for communication, resource allocation, and emergency procedures. BC professionals should ask facility management teams: What are your backup systems? Are they ready? Who will you call for help and will they pick up the phone?

Consider developing a detailed crisis management plan that addresses various scenarios. This plan should outline roles and responsibilities, establish communication channels, and include procedures for different types of emergencies. Regularly maintain this plan to reflect any changes in operations or potential threats.

Is The Organization Keeping Up With Preventative Maintenance?

Routine maintenance of critical infrastructure, such as backup power systems and batteries, is vital. Ensure building management teams are scheduling regular inspections and replacements, particularly for components like battery cells, which typically need replacing every 7-10 years. Utilize battery monitoring systems to detect potential issues before they escalate into emergencies.

To avoid being caught off guard, maintain an up-to-date preventative maintenance schedule and employ monitoring systems for critical components. Regularly test backup power systems to ensure they are functioning correctly. Facilities teams should document all maintenance activities and keep records for future reference and compliance.

Do Teams Have A Reliable Partner Network?

It’s critical to select a trusted partner with a strong track record. Do they have the ability to respond quickly? Do they have the skilled technicians you need? Can they think creatively on the spot? Test their responsiveness by asking questions about their ability to handle emergencies outside regular business hours. Do they have a track record of responsive service? Can they act quickly and efficiently? Is their presence national to support you in all of the key markets?

Establishing a relationship with an important partner, and regularly reviewing their performance to maintain high standards, helps build trust and confidence that the third-party will be ready to help in a critical situation. Executives don’t want to be making that first call when an emergency hits and everyone in the geographical area is without power. If facilities teams are responsible for covering multiple facilities in an organization, a partner with a national presence can provide support with the right skilled technicians no matter where emergency strikes.

Is There Enough Resiliency And Redundancy In The Backup System?

When the power goes out, having a resilient and redundant backup system becomes crucial. Does the organization have a resilient backup system? Are they equipped to handle the maximum load required during an outage? A well designed backup system should not only provide immediate relief but also ensure sustained operation during extended outages. Organizations that invest in backup solutions, such as generators or uninterruptible power supplies with extended battery life, can make all the difference in maintaining operations and minimizing disruptions during unforeseen power failures.

Are Any Consignment Parts Or Local Backups Available?

Having consignment parts or local backup resources can be a game-changer that significantly reduces response time during an outage. Consignment parts are pre-positioned components that are readily available when needed, which can expedite repairs and reduce downtime. Work with facilities teams to identify critical components that may need quick replacement and arrange for consignment stock. Strategically managing these resources will provide a safety net to minimize the impact of power disruptions.

Does The Organizations Have An Early Warning System?

An early warning system can provide crucial information about potential power disruptions before they occur. This could include weather monitoring services, real-time grid status updates, and predictive analytics that help organizations stay ahead of outages. By implementing an early warning system, companies can make informed decisions about deploying backup power sources to minimize disruptions and coordinate a more efficient response. Ultimately, it will help safeguard operations and reduce the overall impact of grid failures.

In a world where power failures are becoming more frequent, being prepared is no longer an option; it’s a necessity. The challenges presented by a strained power grid and severe weather events underscores the need for proactive measures in power management to protect operations. Ensuring that systems and support network are ready to handle whatever comes will help business continuity and resilience professionals navigate disruptions with greater confidence when they occur. As the saying goes, it’s not the magic that makes it work; it’s the way we work that makes it magic.


Knauer is a Sales Director, Critical Power for Concentric, the national, distributed power services organization delivering resilient and sustainable facility power systems for critical power and forklift mobility.

Click here for more insights about Business Continuity.

Business Continuity, Crisis Management, Disaster Recovery, Facility Management, Featured, Technology

Business Resiliency, Compliance, Concentric, Early Warning System, Emergency Preparedness, Hurricane Beryl, Hydroelectricity, Partners, Power Disruptions, Power Emergency, power grid, Power Outage, Preparedness, Preventative Maintenance, Redundancy, resiliency planning, technology

Sponsored Content
Featured Video

Webinars, Podcasts & Videos

Business Continuity Webinar

Did You Miss Our Latest Business Continuity Webinar?

It's not too late! You can still watch the “Business Continuity Exercise Planning and Facilitation Techniques To Start Now” video webinar.

facility resilience webinar

From Prevention To Action: The Role Of Facilities Management In Handling Emergencies And Maintenance

This free webinar on facility resilience will provide actionable strategies to safeguard assets, protect lives, and ensure operational continuity.

adaptive decision-making

Listen Now: Decision-Making During A Crisis

Robert C. Chandler, Ph.D, Founder and Principal of Emperiria discusses his research on adaptive decision-making in this podcast.

Receive the latest articles in your inbox

Share to...