The network of high-voltage "transmission" lines in the U.S. is rapidly aging and no longer can adequately support the country's growing demand for electricity.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) said the blackout was caused by an issue with the high voltage transmission network.

BBC: NIE confirm network fault caused Belfast blackout

GE, which supplies the National Grid operator in the U.K., would dearly love to outfit the U.S. network with control software and thousands of sensors to report voltage and other information on a second-by-second basis.

FORBES: Juicing the System