Causes of Iberian Peninsula Power Outage Remain Unclear
The causes of the recent power outage in Spain and Portugal, which left millions without electricity, are still under investigation. Red Eléctrica, responsible for Spain’s transmission infrastructure, has ruled out cyberattacks, human error, and unusual weather as causes. The incident may have stemmed from two "disconnections of generation," possibly related to the volatility of renewable energy sources.
Experts note that such blackouts are rare and serve as a security mechanism within the electricity system. For a stable operation, energy production must match consumption, and imbalances can lead to blackouts and damage infrastructure.
The system operator maintains grid stability by monitoring real-time parameters, including electrical frequency, voltage, and load. Significant discrepancies trigger automatic disconnections to prevent further imbalances. In severe cases, these measures can affect the entire network.
Álvaro de la Puente Gil, a professor at the University of León, explained that the blackout occurred when more than half of the electricity-generation capacity was lost within five seconds. The grid, unable to handle the rapid imbalance, protected itself by disconnecting internally and from the rest of the European grid.
Miguel de Simón Martín, also a professor at the University of León, highlighted that grid stability relies on a complex network of interconnected lines, international grid connections, and mechanical inertia. Synchronous generators, which store energy in their rotating parts, help buffer against abrupt fluctuations by adjusting their speed to balance the grid.
De Simón Martín emphasized that a large, well-meshed grid with strong international connections and abundant synchronous generators is more stable. The Spanish power grid has historically been robust due to extensive meshing and synchronous generation capacity. However, its limited international connections, affected by the Pyrenees, remain a weak point.
