A large amount of solar energy on the Spanish and Portuguese grids may make the Iberian power grid more vulnerable to failures or cyber attacks, one expert said. [emphasis, links added]
This is because “inertia” is needed on the power system, which is a by-product of generators with rotating parts, such as those that operate on gasoline, coal or hydropower.
These turbines can accelerate or slow down to help adjust the power frequency and must be kept within a certain range.
Inertia also helps protect the system from failures that cause sudden frequency drops, giving grid operators time to turn on the alternative generator.
Solar panels do not create inertia on the system and there is a problem of low inertia on the Iberian power grid.
This morning at about 10 a.m., about two hours before cutting the power supply, almost 60% of Spain is produced by solar farmsaccording to transparency data.
Independent energy analyst Kathryn Porter said electricity demand tends to drop at lunchtime, meaning Spain has less demand for natural gas.
Ms. Porter said: “If your grid fails, it can cause frequency imbalance, and in low-inertial environments, the frequency changes faster.
“If you are in an area, cyberattack, or other possible grid failure, the grid operator has less reaction time. If you are not able to control the failure quickly enough, this can lead to cascading failures.
“The increasing dependence on solar energy pushes inertia toward it [becomes] It is even harder to respond to interference such as major transmission failures.transparent
…Sniper…
The head of the EU said “At this point, there is no sign of cyber attacks yet”, a massive power outage hit Spain and Portugal.
Read the full post in the Telegraph
