And then there was the lack of electrical power -- the quakes cracked a hydroelectric power plant, forcing authorities to shut it down, making even a nearby airport unusable until portable generators could go online.

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Of course, if a lot of cars came online and charged during the day, generators would need to produce more daytime energy.

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Equinix invests in redundant batteries and diesel generators to keep its data centers online.

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Those generators are the kind that can put hospitals back online, and other facilities that are critically in need of power.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House