Can electricity failure due to a rare devastating phenomenon also happens in our country?
Extensive power outage that is crippled parts of Spain and Portugalreiterated the vulnerability of electricity systems during climate change. The media in the Pyrenean Peninsula cite the phenomenon called induced atmospheric vibrations – a rare but potentially devastating phenomenon that could be a new challenge for other European countries.
It is a phenomenon in which rapid weather changes, such as jerky winds or sudden temperature differences, cause mechanical fluctuations in transmission lines. These vibrations can cause damage to the equipment and disorders in the electricity network, which can lead to chain power outages. According to the Slovenian system operator Eles, such vibrations have so far been detected in the extent that would threaten the stability of the system.
Green transition brings new challenges
« The transition to a meating society and increasing dependence on renewable energy sources bring new technical and systemic challenges, » they are for Work explained to Eles. This is why system operators across Europe are rapidly investing in network upgrading, developing advanced system management tools and providing stability in new weather and production conditions.
Induced atmospheric vibrations are a phenomenon in which rapid changes in weather, such as temperatures or wind speeds, cause fluctuations in transmission lines. These vibrations can generally occur mechanical damage and disorders in electrical systems, which can also lead to extensive power outages. Photo: Reuters
Although the Slovenian system is stable so far, complete security cannot be guaranteed. « Due to our constant efforts for the reliable operation of the electricity system, the likelihood of electric eclipses in Slovenia is low, but cannot be completely excluded, » Eles added.
The cause is not officially confirmed
As they point out, they do not want to speculate on the concrete causes of the collapse of the system in the Pyrenean Peninsula, as Spanish and Portuguese operators have not yet made official explanations. Investigations of such events are extremely complex and can last for weeks or even months.
“We are still waiting for the official views of the operators there. Phases, such as induced atmospheric vibrations, are very rare in the European space, but need to be seriously taken into account in the future, especially in the light of increasingly extreme weather, « the Slovenian system operator warned.
