Imperial power drain

Staff are sweltering and stumbling along darkened corridors at Imperial College, London, following an edict to switch off non-vital equipment.

"Please shut down any unnecessary power-consuming equipment. The power consumption is at a critical point and to prevent any unplanned shutdowns, please switch off any non-essential equipment and lighting," a memo requested.

Hot and bothered academics are pointing the finger at the power demands of air conditioning in Imperial's luxurious new Sir Alexander Fleming Building, which houses biomedical staff on the South Kensington campus.