The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens
Fragile Electric Grids: Did Renewables Cause the Blackout in Spain? with Pedro Prieto
May 7, 2025
Pedro Prieto, Vice President of AEREN and co-author of Spain's Photovoltaic Revolution, discusses the recent massive blackout that left millions in Spain and Portugal without power. He explores the fragility of modern electric grids and the impact of renewable energy management. The conversation highlights the balance needed between energy supply and demand, the risks of frequency deviations, and the lessons developed countries can learn from this crisis to improve resilience. Prieto also touches on the social dynamics and community response during such power outages.
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Quick takeaways
- The recent blackout in Spain highlighted the fragility of modern electric grids, exacerbated by overreliance on intermittent renewable energy sources.
- Community resilience emerged as a vital social response during the blackout, contrasting the isolating nature of urban living and emphasizing the importance of connection in crises.
Deep dives
Impact of the Power Blackout
A recent power blackout affected around 60 million people across the Iberian Peninsula, causing significant disruptions in daily life. Hospitals halted operations, supermarkets struggled to function without electricity for transactions, and people were cut off from communication due to overburdened telecom networks. The blackout's duration varied between six and twenty-four hours, highlighting a lack of preparedness that stemmed from an overconfidence in the reliability of the electrical grid. Such events serve as a stark reminder of society's dependence on uninterrupted energy services.
