Another drop in frequency in the European energy grid

For the second time, a short-term decrease in grid frequency occurred in the European power grid. However, a spokesperson for German transport operator Amprion said on Tuesday that the disruption on Monday afternoon was much less than it was in January. The system’s security was never compromised.

The frequency in the AC network in mainland Europe is about 50 Hz exactly. It should not be less than 49.8 Hz or more than 50.2 Hz. If the frequency in the network decreases or increases too much, then this affects the functionality of many electrical appliances. It can also damage connected power plant generators, Ambryon explained. In the event of large deviations, transmission system operators take countermeasures. Amprion has a coordinating role here.

A spokesman for Umbrian said there were problems with power supplies in Poland on Monday. The frequency drop lasted only a few moments. There was no separation of the European network as in the January incident.

In January, an overloading of a substation in Croatia triggered a chain reaction. As a result, the European power grid has been split into two. In France and Italy, large industrial consumers were automatically switched off to stabilize the power grid.