Almost 24 hours after Electric is torn from Spain and PortugalWe still do not know what it caused. At this time, a lot of hypotheses occurred: cyber attacks, an extremely rare atmospheric phenomenon, the problem of electrical inertia … The latter seems to be the one who has the most defenders, although it was not confirmed at any time, so we should always consider this as a hypothesis.
No one announced any kind of cyberization or evidence of this, and in the issue of atmospheric phenomenon was rejected by its own National Energy Network Portugaloriginally responsible for his diffusion. Then we stayed with the hypothesis of inertia, not even knowing for sure whether this is responsible for disconnecting. In case we see that it consists of not understanding some of the ones that are discussed there.
And this is that many people indicate that the shutdown was associated with Excess use of renewable energyThe field, that is, is at least paradoxical. Do we not insist that we should cross the future in which they are renewable energy sources? Why do they tell us about excessive use now? Shouldn’t we use them? To answer these questions, we must take into account several important concepts.
Frequency, tension and demand
The number of times the wave cycle per second is determined as often. Its unit of measurement is Herzio. For example, 5 Herzios is equivalent to the wave, whose full shape is repeated 5 times in a second.
In the electrical system, this frequency It should be constant To avoid problems. For example, in Spain, the frequency of the system is 50 Hz. The same thing happens with an electric voltage, which is a pressure that pushes electrons through the cable to lead to electric current. It is measured in volts and in Spain 230 volts.
To save this data constant, two other parameters are very important: Inertia and resistanceThe field ability to maintain a constant frequency is defined as inertia and always the presence of the same voltage is called resistance.
It may seem that the preservation of all this constant is simple, but not quite, because It depends on demandThe field when there is a slight need for electricity, the load on the system load decreases, so that the frequency increases. Very roughWe can imagine cables as a free or clogged vehicle highway. If the highway is empty, because a small demand is required, more cycles in a second can be provided, so the frequency tends to increase. On the other hand, when there is a great demand, and the highway is stuck, the frequency decreases. This, logically, should be weakened. If not, the load ceases to be constant.
Eat The demand for electricity reaches the peak It can be predicted. For example, those that occur in the morning or at night. In these cases, the necessary parameters can be modulated in advance to prevent the termination of the frequency of constant. In other cases, on the other hand, they cannot be predicted. That is why inertia is so important.
The importance of rotational inertia
Objects that rotate like wheels or turbinesThey have property known as rotational inertia. This applies to the resistance of the object to change its rotation. This is very important to preserve the frequency stable. Therefore, if the electrical frequency depends on turbineAs in the case of hydroelectric power stations, it will be more difficult to change. They will always take 50 moves in a second. Very large and very small demand, usually turbines resist the change in the frequency of their turn.
This method of obtaining electricity is not unique only by hydroelectric power stations. Turbines are also used With nuclear energy or with coal adventThe field is why they usually say that it is so difficult to decarbonize energy. Ideal in current conditions, The combination of both energy sources.
Why then can a shutdown take place?
The arrival of spring and wind, so abundant of the last weeks, provided ideal conditions for the use of renewable sources, such as photoelectric or wind. However, in these cases, ordinary turbines are not used. Therefore, when a 70 % of electricity This was obtained from these sources, we could talk about a great absence of inertia. This, according to some experts, can lead to violations in the electrical frequency, which will ultimately lead to disconnection.
You may be interested in why wind energy It will also be responsible for this situation, although turbines are used. As explained from The world of renewable energyThe problem is that these turbines are not connected directly with an electric grid. In his case, “the frequency converter between the chicken turbine and the electric mesh prevents the kinetic energy of the rotating mass of the wind turbine from ensuring inertia during periods of change in frequency.”
What can be done to solve this loss of inertia?
Before continuing, we must remember that I am not sure that the shutdown came from the problem of inertia. Nevertheless, if this is really confirmed, this means that we should return to much more dependent on fossil fuel. There are solutions, and this should give only more reasons for them.
To begin with, many experts claim that there are no alternatives yet, more important should be attached Nuclear energyIt is clean, it is not polluted as fossil fuel and uses turbines that help maintain inertia.
In any case, this can be considered as an intermediate patch. The final solution for good decarbonization will be the use Large energy storage systemsIt consists of large batteries that can save enough energy to compensate for possible losses obtained from the absence of inertia. In this case, the problem can be solved before the shutdown occurs.
Many companies are already working with these systems, and good results are obtained. Logically, this is not what will be achieved during the night, but we are on the right track. The time will come when you can resort to much more open to Renewable energy sources Without fear of disabling the loss of inertia. Meanwhile, predictions should be made in relation to possible consequences in order not to introduce too much suddenly. Despite this, the road is still pure energy. Do not deceive us with this.
Source: Hiper Textual
