Understanding the Recent Energy Blackout in Spain and Portugal

Many energy experts have been discussing the recent blackout that occurred in Spain and Portugal. Contrary to some initial assumptions, the blackout was not caused by a lack of inertia among renewable energy providers. It is essential to clarify that blaming renewable energy for the disruption is misleading and inaccurate.

It has been revealed that the disturbance in the grid frequency happened before the disconnection of power generators. This indicates that solar arrays and wind farms were disconnected after the disturbance occurred to protect the power plants from potential damage.

Possible Causes of the Blackout

Initial investigations suggest that a technical fault and the failures of private energy suppliers might have contributed to the blackout. The primary fault seems to have occurred in the part of the grid connected to the French network. This fault resulted from a sudden surge and drop in power levels, leading to the disconnection of the France-Spain interconnection and causing a chain reaction of shutdowns across the grid.

Reports indicate that excess energy from a solar power company, attempting to offload an additional 5,000 megawatts onto the grid, may have overwhelmed the transmission line to France. This surge in energy flow likely triggered a system in the interconnection, prompting an erroneous shutdown.

The Role of Profit-Driven Energy Systems

While some may try to blame renewables for the blackout, the real issue lies in the profit-driven nature of energy generation. Energy companies prioritize profits over providing affordable energy, leading to challenges in managing surplus energy production. The costs associated with curtailment and offloading excess energy have risen significantly in recent years.

Furthermore, insufficient investment in energy infrastructure and grid connections exacerbates the strain on the system. The pursuit of profits has hindered the development of adequate connections between Spanish and French grids, contributing to the blackout scenario.

The Impact of Climate Change on Energy Systems

Climate change exacerbates the challenges faced by energy systems, with extreme weather events disrupting operations and increasing energy demands. As temperatures rise, energy usage for heating and cooling escalates, while water scarcity affects power generation from nuclear and hydro plants.

The political right’s denial of climate change and reluctance to address the crisis only worsens the situation. Their focus on short-term gains and conspiracy theories undermines efforts to mitigate climate disruption and build resilient energy systems.

Conclusion

The recent blackout in Spain and Portugal serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and vulnerabilities of our energy systems. By addressing the underlying issues of profit-driven energy generation and inadequate infrastructure investment, we can work towards a more sustainable and reliable energy future.

About the Author:

Nicholas Beuret is a lecturer at the University of Essex specializing in the politics and political economy of climate change. His upcoming book, Or Something Worse: Why we need to disrupt the climate transition, delves into the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a greener economy.