tower“We must better anticipate the great variability of flows linked to renewable energies.”
In any case, a “disconnection” was made possible thanks to the automatic network devices. “”There are a number of connections between Spain and France, with lines that can be opened or closed, such as circuit breakers at home “specifies Pierre Henneaux. The problem conditions encountered during the incident led to the automatic opening of these lines, insulating the Iberian Peninsula.Direct – A massive electrical breakdown creates panic in Spain and Portugal, France also affected: here is what we know about the causes
This phenomenon is not new: “Similar situations occurred in 2003, with a blackout in Italy, or in 2006 during a problem in Germany which had caused a major breakdown“, he recalls. This 2006 breakdown, which occurred after a maintenance operation to allow the passage of a liner from a river to the North Sea, had led to significant impact in several European countries, including Belgium.
“The initial collapse can go very quickly”
With us, Elia, the manager of the electricity network, reported that no disturbance was recorded on Monday: the Belgian network has not been overloaded or other imbalances.
“The initial collapse can go very quicklyunderlines Pierre Henneaux, But once it is done, the operators work on the recovery in the hours that follow“.
The geographic location of the Iberian peninsula contributes to this relative independence: its network is mainly linked to France by the Pyrenees, a relatively limited connection. This isolation had also enabled Spain and Portugal to practice electricity prices temporarily lower than in the rest of Europe in 2022, during the outbreak of gas prices. A particular context which, however, falls under another file.
tower“This isolation can make the network more vulnerable.”
However, this isolation includes risks. “”This can make the network more vulnerable, in particular in the event of loss of a cross -border line and therefore of an overload on another line, especially with the growing importance of renewable energies, which require a lot of imports to balance flows “warns Pierre Henneaux. “”A similar cascade collapse, although of less magnitude, had also taken place in 2021“, He recalls.
He also highlights the upcoming challenges to secure networks: “The network must be strengthened, for example with projects such as the underwater line in the Gulf of Gascogne.“
Nevertheless, he recalls that the development of new lines, mainly aerial (via pylons), remains complicated because of the visual impact and the complaints of citizens. “”This is why there are brakes, also in Belgium. We prefer underground or underwater lines, even if they are more expensive and more difficult to maintain, especially in the event of a breakdown “, he explains.Will electricity prices increase in the future? “The authorities must regain control of the private actors”
To prevent the risk of uncontrolled network collapse, Pierre Henneaux insists on the importance of anticipating the different scenarios, of “Develop corrective safety actions“and “Stabilize the network by possibly disconnecting consumers, temporarily”. It also goes through “research and development (including the use of artificial intelligence, editor’s note) To better anticipate the great variability of flows linked to renewable energies, which evolve enormously depending on the time of day“. Because the network must now be able to manage both nuclear power plants, fossil power plants and the much more variable contribution of wind turbines and photovoltaic panels, subject to the whims of Eole and Helios.
