Europe's Worst Power Surge in 20 Years: A "First of Its Kind" Blackout Hits Spain and Portugal

Blackout in Spain and Portugal 'First of Its Kind', Report Finds A power surge that caused a widespread blackout in Spain and Portugal was the "most severe" in Europe in the last 20 years, and the first of its kind, according to a report released on Friday. The incident, which occurred in April, plunged areas into darkness, cutting internet and telephone connections and halting transport links. The report, conducted by Entso-e, the association of electricity grid operators, found that the blackout was caused by "cascading overvoltages," an increase in electrical supply voltage that overwhelmed the power system. This phenomenon is a new area of study for experts, who are still trying to understand its causes and consequences. "This is new territory," said Damian Cortinas, president of Entso-e. "Our role is not to apportion blame to any party over the cause of the blackout." Cortinas emphasized that the report focused on the condition of the power systems on the day of the outage and the sequence of events leading up to it. The blackout affected large parts of Spain and Portugal, and briefly affected southwestern France. The incident caused significant disruption for nearly a day, with many residents left without electricity or communication services. In recent years, Europe has seen an increase in extreme weather events, which can put pressure on power grids. According to experts, the blackout was likely exacerbated by a combination of factors, including high temperatures and increased energy demand. The report's findings have significant implications for the European Union's efforts to modernize its power grid infrastructure. As the region continues to transition to renewable energy sources, it must also invest in grid resilience and adaptability to mitigate the risks of extreme weather events. Entso-e is working with EU authorities to develop strategies for preventing similar blackouts in the future. Cortinas noted that the association will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on any new developments. The blackout has sparked a wider debate about the need for more robust grid infrastructure and better preparedness measures. As the world becomes increasingly reliant on renewable energy, it is essential to develop technologies and strategies that can handle the variability of solar and wind power. In related news, researchers at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre are exploring new AI-powered tools to predict and prevent blackouts. These tools use machine learning algorithms to analyze real-time data from power grids and identify potential vulnerabilities. As the EU continues to invest in grid modernization and renewable energy, it will be essential to address the challenges posed by extreme weather events and overvoltage incidents. By doing so, Europe can ensure a reliable and efficient energy supply for its citizens and businesses. Background: The blackout occurred on April 1, affecting large parts of Spain and Portugal. Entso-e is an association of electricity grid operators that represents the interests of European power grids. The report was released on Friday, providing details on the cause and consequences of the blackout. Additional Perspectives: "The EU must prioritize grid resilience and adaptability to mitigate the risks of extreme weather events," said Maria Rodriguez, a energy expert at the European Commission. "We need to invest in modernizing our power grid infrastructure and developing new technologies that can handle the variability of renewable energy." Current Status and Next Developments: Entso-e will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on any new developments. Researchers at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre are exploring new AI-powered tools to predict and prevent blackouts. The EU is investing in grid modernization and renewable energy, with a focus on developing more robust and adaptable power grids. *Reporting by Bbc.*