The Ross Kaminsky Show 05-5-25 *INTERVIEW* Talking the Power Outage in Spain with Energy Expert Robert Bryce
May 5, 2025
Robert Bryce, an energy expert and author, dives into the repercussions of a massive power outage that struck Spain, affecting over 55 million people. He discusses the reliability of renewable sources like solar and wind versus traditional energy. The conversation highlights the critical role of grid inertia for stable electricity supply and raises innovative solutions like flywheels. Bryce also navigates the complexities of transitioning to nuclear energy and the challenges facing Small Modular Reactors amidst Spain's energy policies.
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Renewables Cause Grid Instability
- Spain's large influx of wind and solar caused grid instability leading to a massive blackout affecting 55 million people.
- Renewable energy's intermittency and volatility make grid stability challenging and costly upgrades necessary.
Grid Inertia Loss Explained
- Traditional power plants use big spinning generators that create inertia stabilizing the grid frequency.
- Solar and wind don't provide this inertia, causing instability when their output suddenly changes.
Renewables Need Full Backup Systems
- Wind and solar additions require full backup capacity because they're intermittent and unreliable.
- Utilities must maintain parallel "spinning reserve" of conventional power to avoid blackout risk during renewable drop-offs.