Plugged In: the energy news podcast Spain’s grid in "safe mode": Lessons from the blackout
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Oct 10, 2025 Christina Rentell, Research Lead at Aurora Energy Research, and Daniel Garasa Sagardoy, Energy Engineer and Solar Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, dive into the aftermath of Spain's major blackout. They discuss the shift to a 'safe mode' for grid operation, the challenges posed by solar intermittency, and the role of distributed assets. The conversation also touches on the politicization of the incident, the need for localized voltage services, and the outlook for batteries in achieving grid stability. Insightful and thought-provoking, this discussion sheds light on future energy resilience.
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Over-Voltage As The Central Technical Issue
- Voltage instability triggered cascading generation trips and is central to the blackout investigation.
- ENSOE's factual report confirmed over-voltage but did not identify the proximate initiating cause or culpable party.
Blackout Deepened Political Polarization
- The blackout polarised Spain's energy debate and prompted partisan blame of renewables or system operators.
- Public discussion often lacks the technical nuance and becomes a vehicle for pre-existing energy positions.
Blind Spots In Distributed Generation
- The TSO's limited visibility on distributed, behind‑the‑meter assets may have contributed to the event's dynamics.
- Experts flagged distributed generation as an under-observed factor that needs better monitoring and coordination.