Synergy Power Outage: How to Prepare for A Power Outage

Synergy Power Outages Facts 

As the most significant power company in the state, Synergy makes and sells gas and energy to more than a million homes, businesses, and industries.

In the region spanning from Kalbarri in the north to Albany in the south and east to Kalgoorlie, Synergy provides power to consumers linked to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS).

Electricity production from many sources involves Synergy. Power-producing assets consist of coal-fired facilities at Muja and Collie power plants, gas turbines located at Cockburn, Pinjar, Kalgoorlie, and Mungarra, as well as solar farms and wind in the mid-west and significant southern areas of Western Australia.

The Synergy aims to:

• Administer your residential energy account. Obtain expedited access to expedited methods for bill payment, connection management, and usage tracking.
• Evaluate and contrast commercial energy products.Identify the optimal energy solution for your enterprise. Transition to a time-of-use approach, secure a fixed rate or change from a tariff to a plan.

If there is a power outage in Western Australia, you can check its status on the Synergy website. Visit your local electricity provider's website.

Power Outage News

On June 6, 2024, a power outage affected hundreds of north-west Victoria residents. Energy provider Powercor said at 5:30 am that 286 customers, primarily in the Central Highlands area, were without power.

The city of Ballarat had 124 affected residences, and by 12.30 pm, it was expected that the supply would be restored.

Details on power outages that last more than a minute are available in this list. It covers scheduled power outages to allow staff to safely maintain the network and unscheduled outages brought on by malfunctions, catastrophes, or severe weather.

An SMS regarding the work and the anticipated restoration time was sent to customers impacted by these disruptions. It is expected that electricity will resume at this time. Sometimes, workers can restore electricity more quickly. Other times, once technicians thoroughly examine the reason for the outage, it may take longer than expected.

How to Check A Power Outage

This is a simple way to remain current for Synergy power outage:

Step 1: Go to the Synergy official website first. It is the primary source of up-to-date information about outages in the area.

Step 2: Open the website, navigate to the top left of the homepage and search for the Outages option. Information on current outages is the focus of this section.

Step 3: The Outages page lists current disruptions and pertinent information, such as the number of impacted individuals and the projected restoration time. Understanding a blackout's scope and anticipated length requires knowledge of this information.

Step 4: Use the search bar to obtain information unique to your suburb. You may use this tool to filter the data only to show outages immediately affecting your location.

Step 5: Based on your latitude and longitude, the Show My Location tool may automatically identify and display outages in your immediate neighbourhood if you'd like a quicker approach to locating outages nearby.

Step 6: The website's interactive map offers a thorough overview of the outages throughout Western Australia for those who prefer a more visual approach. You may click on any specific outage on the map for additional details.

By following these steps, you may successfully prepare and react to these interruptions by following these steps and staying updated about outages in Western Australia and your region.

How to Report A Power Outage

If you experience a power outage in WA, reporting it can help Synergy respond faster. Here's how you can do it:

1. Notify Synergy Power Supplier

When you experience power loss, contact your electricity supplier, Synergy. Make sure you have the electrical company's customer care number on hand. In response to your report, they will investigate the blackout and find the cause of the outage.

Call Western Power at 13 13 51 as soon as possible if your power loss creates an emergency. Since landlines don't require electricity to function, it is preferable to utilise them for reporting power outages. The Synergy can also determine your location and provide appropriate information.

2. Mobile Application

The majority of energy suppliers provide smartphone applications. With your smartphone, you may report the power loss instantly through their app.

3. Social Media Platform

Most businesses interact with their clients on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You may report the power outage and pertinent details on the electrical provider's social media pages.

4. Disaster Helplines

When a power loss risks public safety or interferes with essential services, you can report it to the emergency hotline provided by almost all electrical companies. Complaints and reports sent through an emergency hotline are handled quickly.

It's important to provide precise information when reporting a power loss, such as your location, address, phone number, and any particular observations you may have about the outage.

How to Prepare for A Power Outage?

Power outages can occur anytime due to various factors, including storms, bushfires, and heavy network demand. Make sure you're ready for anything that may come your way. The following are the steps or tips for preparing for a Synergy power outage.

Step 1: Keep Updates  

You can find out several places about power outages in your area, especially when fixes and maintenance are planned. Find out about power outages on:

On the Synergy website, you can find accurate details about power outages. You can find out about the affected places, how long it will take to fix things, and other valuable information.

To find out about power outages, check the power company's social media pages on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. On social media, companies post about power outages, including where they happen and when they will be fixed. You can also look for hashtags related to power outages to find information other users in your area have shared.

Local news sources, like TV, radio, and newspapers, can tell you about power blackouts, affected areas, and other related information.  

Step 2: Prepare for Emergency Kit  

Compile a specialised emergency kit tailored to the environment of Western Australia, comprising non-perishable food, water, medication, first aid kit, and hygiene products.

Consider the specific requirements of your family, which encompass newborns, elderly individuals, and animals, and incorporate items such as baby formula, diapers, and pet food.

Prepare a selection of warm garments, blankets, and durable footwear to defend against frigid temperatures during winter power outages, together with sun protection, hats, and sunscreen to ensure safety during hot weather emergencies in the summer.

Also, remember to include a home backup generator in your emergency bag. Jackery Solar Generators are helpful backup power supplies to charge appliances with solar energy. It charges crucial appliances like phones, fridges, radios, lights, etc. That means we can still use these items and talk to each other even if the power goes out.

An emergency kit ensures you and your family can access essential items during power blackouts and other emergencies. Your emergency kit should be somewhere everyone in your family can quickly get to. The goods should also be checked and restocked often to make sure they are fresh and up to date.

Step 3: Strategies for Different Groups

There are strategies for different groups in a power outage - residents, businesses, and even extreme weather conditions.  

Preparing for a residential power outage

Ensure you are prepared with a strategy in case the electricity is down. The following advice will keep you safe and lessen the effects on you and your family.

After you have made sure you are safe, take care of anyone who could be in danger nearby. Emergency supplies and battery-powered gadgets: Assemble an emergency kit, store it somewhere accessible, and ensure everyone knows where it is.

To begin with, you should stock up on battery-operated items like a flashlight and a radio so you can listen to crucial information in an emergency. Remember to include extra batteries in there!

Preparing for a commercial power outage

A power outage seldom happens at a reasonable time. Here are some suggestions to keep your business operating securely to lessen the impact on your operations.

Create an emergency plan you will adhere to in case of an unscheduled power loss. To begin with, store an emergency kit in a visible location that includes battery-operated items like a radio and a flashlight for crucial information in case of a power loss. Remember to include extra batteries in there!

Get your people ready - ensure your teams review what to do in an outage, including how to resume or cease work, security measures, and backup evacuation plans if the elevators malfunction.

Ensure your generator or backup batteries are operating properly by checking them regularly. Check the maximum number of elevators that can operate without overloading the generator if your elevators are connected to a backup power source.

Preparing for a power outage in extreme weather

The network is under more strain because of the intense heat, storm activity, and increased demand. There will be power outages; therefore, we must be ready. A little forward preparation pays big dividends.

We advise creating a strategy to assist you in reducing risk and taking action in the case of storm damage or a power outage if you live in a storm-prone location.

• Fully charge your cell phone.
• Always have a torch and radio that run on batteries and extra batteries.
• Make sure you understand how to hand open your electric garage door.
• Retain trees near private power lines routinely trimmed by a licenced contractor.
• To extend the shelf life of food during a power outage, set your refrigerator to a lower temperature.
• Modify your computer's "autosave" feature to regularly backup critical files.

Jackery Solar Generators for Power Outages

The Jackery Solar Generator can be used as a backup power source if the power goes out, making life much easier when you don't have control.    

When there is a power outage, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus and Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus will keep you and your family running. Both comprise SolarSaga solar panels and portable power stations from the Explorer series.

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus has an expandable capacity of 1.25-5 kWh battery, which can power 99% of your household appliances.

Besides, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus has a battery that can be expanded from 2 kWh to 12 kWh. For this reason, the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus and 2000 Plus are better choices for extra power at home.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus is the best home backup power supply due to its exceptional output. It can aid in home emergencies and other emergencies. It is the all-in-one solar generator for your life due to its versatility and size.

Supports up to three additional battery packs, bringing the total capacity to 5kWh and providing 1-3 days of home backup power. A solar generator can power your communication devices, medical equipment, refrigerators, etc., bringing reliability and convenience.  

Stay connected and keep critical devices running with reliable backup power, assuring safety and convenience in an emergency.

The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus portable power station, with a 10-year lifespan and a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, provides a consistent voltage and pure sine wave to ensure the safety of all your electrical gadgets. Additionally, the innovative ChargeShield technology and consistent power delivery avoid equipment damage.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

The Solar Generator 2000 Plus by Jackery significantly enhances the available choices for portable electricity with its exceptional performance. With its substantial capacity and formidable power output, this device can provide electricity for basic home needs.  

Adding battery cells to the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus enhances its capacity from 2 kWh to 12 kWh, leading to a significant transformation in providing backup power for households.

The Explorer 2000 Plus has a maximum power output of 3000W, 30% greater than other 2 kWh models with similar specifications. Also, the Solar Generator 2000 Plus is commonly used; it can achieve a complete charge within 6 hours by utilising six SolarSaga 100W solar panels. The power source achieves self-sufficiency by harnessing solar energy rather than relying on the power grid for charging.

The supplementary battery pack can be recharged using solar panels, offering increased versatility while enhancing charging efficacy and reducing time consumption. Jackery Solar Panels have an impressive solar conversion efficiency of up to 25%, generating more energy during its lifespan.

What Size Solar Generator Do I Need?

To choose the right size solar generator, examine your energy usage, solar panel efficiency, battery storage capacity, and your equipment's specific requirements. Selecting the appropriate size solar generator entails balancing energy requirements, installation efficiency, mobility, and cost.

Depending on their energy needs, customers can choose a Jackery Solar Generator with capacities ranging from 12 kWh to 300Wh for a portable solar system. The formula for calculating the operational hours of Jackery Solar Generator-powered appliances is as follows:

Working Hours (H) = [Jackery Solar Generator Capacity (Wh)*0.85] / Appliance's Wattage (W)

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can run a 350W fridge for 4.7 hours (2042.8Wh x 0.85/100). This computation assists in determining the hours during which appliances can function.

What to Do During & After A Power Outage?

Knowing what to do during and after a Synergy power outage can keep you and your family safe. Here is a guide to help you handle such situations with ease.

During A Power Outage

Check Your House: Ensuring everyone is safe should come first during a power outage. If you're in the dark, carefully locate the closest emergency light source, then reach out to every household member.

Verify whether the power loss is only affecting your house. If it is, examine your circuit breaker panel or fuse box to see if it is still open for your neighbours. Examine the service wires that lead to the house if a breaker or fuse is not the issue. Keep your distance and call Synergy North at 343-1111 if they are visibly harmed or on the ground.

Avoid Using Your Stove or Oven: During cold weather, you might be tempted to use a gas stove or range for temporary heat if the electricity goes out and your furnace stops working. Since it will cause carbon monoxide to be released into your home, this is a risky concept.

In addition to its tasteless, colourless, and odourless nature, carbon monoxide may also induce symptoms, including headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Long-term exposure to high carbon monoxide concentrations can potentially be lethal.

Put on warm layers of clothing - such as hats, gloves, and outerwear - instead of utilising your oven. To add extra warmth, wrap a blanket around yourself. You can also use blankets to keep chilly breezes out by hanging them over doors and windows outside.

Report Downed Power Wires: Refrain from approaching any downed power wires you encounter. Always presume that the area around downed power lines is electrified and that the lines are still operating, especially if the weather is damp. To report the issue, call your electricity utility or dial 911.

Unplug Electronics & Appliances: During a power outage, it's a good idea to unplug electronics and appliances unless you have a superior surge protection system. Delicate electronics such as laptops, monitors, TVs, and smart gadgets are particularly susceptible to this. When the power is turned back on, a transient electrical surge might damage appliances and gadgets in the long run by entering your home's wiring.

Preserve Your Phone's Battery: If you are unable to recharge your phone, you should do the following steps to reduce the amount of battery life you have left:

• Reserve your phone for critical calls, messages, and informational searches on your weather event or power outage.
• Try to lower the screen's brightness as much as you can.
• Ensure the screen is off when your phone is not in use. 
• Turn down the speaker.Turn off the vibrations. Turn off the location services.
• If at all feasible, turn off Bluetooth and WiFi.
• Choose a dark-coloured smartphone theme or wallpaper.
• Examine the settings menu on your phone to find any extra battery or power-saving options. 

After A Power Outage

Reconnect Appliances & Electronics: If you disconnected anything before or during the blackout, you may safely plug everything back in, one at a time. On some devices, you might need to reset the clocks and settings.

Get Rid of Spoiled Food: If you haven't already, discard any perishable items that may have gone bad from your freezer and refrigerator.

This category includes foods that have been cooled for more than four hours and frozen products that have been thawed for more than 48 hours in a fully enclosed freezer or 24 hours in a partially filled freezer. It's better to be safe than sorry, so avoid tasting potentially rotten food to assess whether it can be stored.

Restock Your Emergency Kit: Replace any food, water, batteries, or first aid items you used from your emergency kit that you reserved for later.

Synergy Power Outage FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about the Synergy power outages:

1. Why has the power gone off?

Numerous things can cause it, including a downed power line, a failed transformer, or the shutdown of a power plant. For help with this and to report the outage, get in touch with your electricity provider.

2. How long does a power cut last?

Most blackouts are just 30 to 40 minutes long. Power outages are common over 24 hours, though. Therefore, you should ensure that your home has the following items.

3. Why has my electricity gone off, but nothing has tripped?

To begin with, look for any loose or broken wires in any of the outlets in the impacted area. In that case, these must be fixed or replaced right away. A broken or loose circuit breaker is a further option. In this instance, you must either repair the breaker or reinstall it.

Final Thoughts

By being proactive in creating an emergency plan, keeping gadgets charged, having a backup power source, and being aware of typical causes like harsh weather and equipment failure, you can significantly reduce the effect of blackouts. 

In Western Australia, Synergy is the largest electricity provider. Check the Synergy power outage for information on compensation and real-time outages. With this advice, we hope you can stay educated, prepared, and fueled during those all-important moments - especially during a power outage.