On July 13, 1977 New York City suffered a 25-hour blackout after lightning struck a substation along the Hudson River — tripping two circuit breakers and setting off a chain of events that resulted in a widespread power failure — eventually crippling the biggest generator serving the Big Apple.

Made possible by EDF Energy Services, 77 Problems travels back to that pivotal time following Dr. Massoud Amin University of Minnesota professor and IEEE Smart Grid Chairman across New York City as he recounts the day that not only shaped his resolute career, but also the energy industry.