TECHNICAL FAILURE – HIGH RISK ON THE NATIONAL POWER GRID

The assessment of the risk of technical failure (blackout) in an power system is an essential process for ensuring the stability and continuity of the electricity supply. This involves identifying and analyzing factors that may lead to the total or partial collapse of the power grid. Key factors: Risk factors (technical failures: damage to critical equipment such as generators, transformers and transmission lines; grid overload: excessive energy demand exceeding system capacity; external factors: extreme weather events, cyberattacks, earthquakes or other natural events; human errors: wrong decisions in system operation or deficiencies in maintenance); Assessment methodology (modelling and simulation of crash scenarios, to identify system vulnerabilities, probabilistic risk analysis and determining their impact on the network, assessment of prevention and protection measures, and, such as safety automation and energy reserves); Prevention and response measures (modernization of infrastructure to increase equipment resilience, implementation of protection systems: automation for controlled disconnection, smart grids, etc, creation of rapid intervention plans to limit the effects of a generalised power outage and diversification of energy sources to reduce dependence on a single production type. Assessment and management of technical failure risk are essential for energy security. Through a preventive approach and the implementation of appropriate technical and operational solutions, the likelihood of a blackout can be significantly reduced, thus ensuring the stability and safety of the power system.