How big is the risk of an electricity blackout in Austria? According to Herwig Renner, professor for electrical systems and networks at the Graz University of Technology, it is very low. In Austria and also in Europe there has not yet been a real blackout in the power supply – apart from major but limited power outages, which were quickly managed, said Renner in an online conversation with the energy regulator E-Control. Lessons have been learned from major failures since the 1960s.
“Today we are in a better position”
For a real blackout, several major events would have to come together, said E-Control board member Alfons Haber. Renner mentioned the coincidence of a cold spell with strong winter storms, “that would be a prerequisite”. There were separations in the network system, but they were always mastered, according to the TU professor. The failure in New York in 1965 showed that the controllability of the network had to be improved: “Today we are much better off.” The 380 kV ring is an essential contribution to ensuring that there is no blackout in Austria. In view of the planned strong expansion of renewable energies, Renner advocates building up reserve capacities, because: “The dark doldrums float over us like a sword of Damocles” – that is, times without PV and wind power. What is needed are flexible gas-fired power plants that should also be compatible with hydrogen technology.
Source: Nachrichten
