Paul Barnfather6d ago
I see the Iberia blackout report is released: voltage instability. One conventional plant offline when it was supposed to provide voltage control and 9x others misconfigured for same. Lack of control allowed voltage to oscillate and rise above allowed limits, triggering automatic disconnection of 8GW solar (as designed), which resulted in voltage collapse and blackout. https://elpais.com/economia/2025-06-17/el-gobierno-reparte-culpas-entre-red-electrica-y-las-empresas-por-el-gran-apagon.html #energy #spain #blackout
El Gobierno reparte culpas entre Red Eléctrica y las empresas por el gran apagón

El Ejecutivo descarta el ciberataque y apunta a la mala planificación del operador del sistema y la actuación “indebida” de las eléctricas. El informe ve la luz 49 días después del primer cero energético de la historia

El País
Show threadPaul Barnfather
For context: one of the many services provided to the grid by power plants is voltage control. In addition to generating real power (MW), they generate and absorb reactive power (MVAR), which locally raises and lowers voltage to keep it within limits. Generating (or absorbing) MVAR means less MW, so generation contracts must carefully specify the level of service required and/or pay for the service to discourage generators only doing MW...
Jun 18 at 8:51amWeb
Show threadPaul Barnfather6d ago
In this case, 9x thermal plans did *not* absorb MVAR as they were contracted to do. I wonder why? 🤔 Some interesting legal/contractual fallout coming for those plant operators… 🧐
Show threadPaul Barnfather6d ago
More context: voltage control services are also available from batteries and some renewable generation. Lack of inertia (frequency instability) was not an issue here - as opposed to what was widely speculated at the time.