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Published online 20 January 2004 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news040119-3

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Power blackouts likely

Electricity systems are becoming more vulnerable, and there's no quick fix.

Two groups of researchers have independently brought forward evidence of intrinsic weaknesses in the North American power grid. Their analyses both conclude that massive power blackouts, such as the one that hit New York last summer, are likely to happen again.

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