Voltage control of the Spanish power system focuses on sectoral discussions after the April 28 Peninsula power outage, with utilities blaming “significant” delays in both regulation and infrastructure development to help keep this parameter within acceptable operating ranges.
Officials at Aelec, which brings together Iberdrola, Endesa and EDP, have regretted and blamed having to wait “four years” for reforms that would allow renewable energy to dynamically control voltage.Due to delays from operator Red Electrica, When implementing infrastructure such as binding synchronization compensators that already appear in current plans.
One of the most relevant features electrical system Tension control. This is determined by the balance between active energy (useful electricity that is consumed) and reactive energy (not consumed, but required to maintain a stable voltage in the network and to operate motors, transformers or inverters).
If reactive power is insufficient, Tension decreases. Please come if you have any left. Therefore, the amount of circulating reactants must be constantly adjusted to maintain the voltage within safe limits.
Aelec claims that this work is the responsibility of Red Eléctrica. Complete overview of electrical systems. In any case, the same source suggests that plants that can contribute to voltage control by providing reactive instructions should do so.
“There’s wind, there’s solar power, several combined cycles They can already do it”, just “ software” they added.
Differences between Spain and Europe
Another claim of Aelec is: Work with the European Union Where to set the maximum voltage threshold allowed for normal system operation.
According to the association, in Spain, where tensions are increasing year by year, the standards managed by Red Electrica are 435 kilovolts (kV)compared to 420 kV in neighboring countries, including Portugal.
This is due to the fact that in Europe the equipment is The operating range is 20 kV.
However, the officials went on to say that in Spain it is 5kV and the range is very small, as is the measurement error, so any deviations could occur. This will cause a large-scale shutdown of power plants.
Red Eléctrica recently explained that the grid voltage limit is 435 kV. This has been established by Spanish regulations since at least 1998; The latest European regulations also confirm this.
Operation up to 420 kV would mean structural changes, the operator continued, arguing that its application in the current system would double the costs due to technical limitations and could not be guaranteed with the available resources. The value above was not exceeded.
However, Aelec believes that updating its operating procedures is sufficient, a step that will be welcomed by the companies that make up the association. Be positive.
Controlled by renewable energy
Another topic of discussion is “Step 7.4”This provision has established how generators participate in voltage control for more than 20 years and was updated in June to include renewable power plants.
A few days ago, Red Eléctrica reported that 168 applications had been submitted for approval, including: 125 Wind and solar power.
As the operators themselves acknowledged and Aelec officials recalled, the rate of requests remains low, and it is estimated that plant approvals and necessary adaptations may take until the first review takes place. Quarter of 2026.
A message of peace of mind
If there’s anything that utilities and operators agree on, it’s that despite their focus on voltage control, especially after the Red Electrica detection in September. “Sudden change” However, “within established limits” does not mean that Spain will be subject to new blackouts.
“That won’t happen. Spain’s electricity grid isnecessary elements, “This is especially true now that operations have been stepped up,” Alec said, but urged people not to postpone taking action.
Along these lines, the association advocates collaboration and considers it “fundamental” for Red Electrica to develop working groups where various actors, including the scientific community, can sit, study initiatives, and exchange ideas. “More comprehensive research” What happened on April 28th.
About The Author
