> and yet, we do it on the regular. No, we don't. When the whole grid is down the power stations have to shut down - they can't run without load. Power station

> and yet, we do it on the regular. No, we don't. When the whole grid is down the power stations have to shut down - they can't run without load. Power stations require power to start up, and without power on the lines there's no synchronisation. There are facilities designed to start a grid, the utilities are prepared, but it generally takes 6-8 hours to get synchronisation to a level where the main generators can get back online. As most major generators are a long way from population centres (and their primary load) a coordinated attack could partition most country's grids in a way that ensures a long term blackout.