Blackout – failure of critical infrastructure

Blackout – failure of critical infrastructure

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Blackout – failure of critical infrastructure

A blackout is usually an unintentional interruption in the supply of electricity.

Differentiation from a power outage

Power outages are always short-term and usually only affect smaller areas. The causes are often quickly remedied. In contrast, with a “real” blackout, the power supply is interrupted for a longer period of time; larger areas are usually affected, such as several federal states or nations. The causes can also be intentional interruptions.

In the event of a blackout, the critical infrastructure always suffers, starting with the network infrastructure.

Causes

The causes of a blackout can be of various kinds. A selection:

  • Natural causes
    • Failure of weather-dependent renewable energies (wind and solar power);
    • natural disasters;
    • Solar Storms/Geomagnetic Storms;
  • Technical causes
    • Grid stabilizers (coal, nuclear energy) are increasingly being eliminated;
    • System collapse – Insufficient network stability;
  • Human causes
    • Human error
    • cyber attacks;
    • Terrorist attacks;
    • e-bomb;
    • Market manipulation.

Deutsche Welle: Total power outage – realistic scenario or scaremongering?

Prof. Harald Schwarz on the last serious incident in Europe in January 2021. He clearly explains why the power supply in Germany will not necessarily be secure at all times in the future.

How to cause a blackout

An analysis by Mathias Dalheimer at the Chaos Computer Club Congress 32C3

Effect (selection)

The consequences of a blackout affect all areas of our economy and life. The entire infrastructure depends on a functioning power supply.

To name just a few examples of consequences:

  • Many freezers and refrigerators (especially those with insufficient thermal insulation) become too warm, causing the stored goods to spoil.
  • Many transport systems (especially electric trains, but also lifts) are failing, meaning that important transport services are no longer available. Employees and goods no longer come to the production or service locations.
  • Obtaining goods and services is no longer possible because electronic payment systems are no longer available
  • The failure of lighting in apartments, offices and industrial companies can severely disrupt processes there.
  • The transmission of information through telephones, television and radio, email and newspapers can be interrupted, with dire consequences, especially for an industrial society.
  • Hospitals and other critical facilities must have backup power. However, this usually cannot bridge power outages of any length because the batteries or fuel reserves are exhausted.
  • Water supplies may also be affected, with further serious consequences.
  • For example, farms can no longer operate their milking machines, water and wastewater systems can no longer function, and warehouses can no longer be cooled.
  • If there is a shortage of information and supplies that lasts several days, social unrest occurs;
  • A black start is extremely time-consuming. It takes days or weeks until the energy supply is stable again;
  • etc.

There are numerous studies on the effects of a blackout, including the Office for Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag with the publication “What happens in a blackout: Consequences of a long-lasting and large-scale power outage” in 2011. See also Sources.

The publication of the German Bundestag:

What-happens-in-a-blackout-consequences-of-a-long-lasting-and-large-area-power-failure-petermann-etal-2011-141Download

Probability of a blackout occurring

Blackouts have an increasing probability of occurrence while at the same time having a high negative impact. The probability of occurrence in terms of frequency or extent depends, among other things, on the following factors:

  • Increases with complexity of the power grid;
  • Increases with possible chain reactions (domino effect);
  • Increasing electrification in all areas of business and life increases vulnerability;
  • Increasing electricity production that cannot be planned in the long term increases risk.

Solutions

In order to avoid a blackout or mitigate its consequences, there are various solutions (selection):

  • General network expansion, creation of electricity-transporting network infrastructure;
  • Networking of the electricity infrastructure between producers and consumers;
  • feed-in management measures;
  • Contractual or automatic load shedding for large customers;
  • Black start capable systems;
  • Creation of electricity storage (batteries);
  • Fast-reacting pumped storage and natural gas power plants.

Private precautionary measures

In addition, every private individual can take precautionary measures for disasters; the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) has created a checklist for this purpose.

guide emergency preparedness checklistDownload

Precautionary measures for companies, authorities and organizations

Structures such as authorities, organizations and companies are called upon to prepare for a blackout with emergency concepts to protect themselves and their employees. For this purpose, it is advisable to set up a task force to identify the necessary resources and measures.

TCRH Offers

The TCRH Mosbach offers Education and training in the fields of Civil protection, Disaster preparedness, Inner and External security.

The following courses are available for crisis scenarios such as a blackout or its consequences:

We are happy to offer our conference rooms, accommodation and catering options as well as face-to-face and digital platforms for exchange as well as education and training to congresses, meetings, workshops and expert forums.

Sources

Publications

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