The Iberian Peninsula is dark at any time – are other member states preparing for the European Union?

Historical darkness

On Monday afternoon, Domino’s effect on the electricity network on the Iberian Peninsula was launched, which led to a large energy interruption in a short time. The consequences were exciting: the metro cities stopped, traffic lights died at the same time, and dozens of hospitals were forced to switch to emergency diesel generators

What can cause this is divided: opinions are divided:

In the beginning, it is possible Doubt on the InternetAnd that has been denied since then or just confirmed his doubts:

In the same thing The weather phenomenon is very unusual The problem can cause – although this theory has since it seems to be overthrown:

According to the latest news, a mysterious series of events occurred in the southwestern region of the country:

Let’s put it in a way At the present time, experts guess About what was the real cause. Which, in turn, can say that

Any of the incidents listed can activate the automation of the integrated network protection.

This also means that the landing line (or power plants) It may cause the frequency to leave In the system that sparked the effect of domino, it may eventually lead to the collapse of the entire network.

It should be noted here that power networks are set for a stable frequency range, which is 50 Hz (Hz) for Europe. In transmission and distribution networks, the electrical current is primarily back and forth, which are the alternating current properties (AC). This vibration occurs in a certain number every second – this is called frequency.

However, all this frequency equipment (such as home appliances) is set, so with a low or high frequency range, it will not be operated properly. If consumption exceeds production, the frequency will decrease. While the frequency increases in excess production.

The series started around 12:30. First, the electricity in Madrid and Zaragaza disappeared, then dark Lisbon and Porto in a few minutes. For a short period, even in the Basque region in southern France, there were broad lines, where there are strong contacts for the electricity network in Europe through border connections (sales connections).

It should also be added that the European region was “lucky” to say that this happened in a more sitting place (of power). Let’s just think about what would have happened if Germany did it. In this case, the problem may have spread to many countries.

Can other countries be prepared?

The question arises: Why did one mistake led to this big loss? The answer lies in the details of the Iber electricity network

Which will become more and more typical in Europe as a whole.

Spain relied on almost renewable energy during power outages. During the back, before the event, about 64 % of production was served, according to 12:30, by Sun and Wind Energy:

On the contrary, traditional power plants, such as gas power plants (the latter of great importance in understanding the problem), played only a simple role. The performance of the gas stations with a gas stations was about 1 GW at the time, which was about 5 % of the total production.

Here comes the point:

Under these circumstances, the stagnation of the electricity system (self -deficiency) is very low.

The stalemate on the power mesh is the energy stored energy during the rotation of synchronization generators (such as traditional power plants such as carbon stations, gas or nuclear power) Which helps to maintain stable network frequency.

The simultaneous generator is an electrical machine that generates a current alternate from rotating movement (such as steam, water or gas), with the rotational speed coinciding with the frequency of the network – here it is called.

As mentioned above, if the balance between production and consumption is broken – for example, the power plant suddenly falls or increases consumption suddenly – after that The system frequency moves From 50 Hz required. On the other hand, stalemate is able to “support” the electrical network because the rotating machines continue to rotate for a short period (thanks to their motor capacity) to maintain frequency and grant the system operator to enter and start the necessary organization.

For low self -insufficiency, when a few traditional power plants are turned on to the network, the frequency can decrease faster – can decrease – Because they take support from the network. This increases the risk of regime collapsing.

However, the renewable producers on the weather (sun and wind power stations) are not traditional rotating machines but They call the network through electronic transformers, However, it does not contribute to preserving stagnation.

In other words, the small disorder can tend much faster and to a greater extent than the stable frequency range if there is not enough traditional rotation in the system.

The defense mechanism was only when the Spanish electrical system was operated with a highly renewable share, so that frequency fluctuations for defense mechanisms cannot be perpetuated by traditional power plants – basically not time enough for the frequency reserve capacity to enter the network.

According to the shape below, there was a difference of approximately 0.15 Hz on the network in this case, which is important: