Back to: BLACKOUT “Basic”

This chapter teaches the basics of blackouts and prepares participants for the following modules.

Definition and causes of a blackout

A blackout is a sudden, widespread, and prolonged power failure, usually caused by a chain reaction in the power grid. In contrast to short or localised power failures, a blackout can have supra-regional or even transnational effects. The causes of a blackout are varied and range from technical faults to targeted attacks on the infrastructure.

Difference between a local power outage and a nationwide blackout

A localised power outage usually only affects a small region and is usually resolved within a few hours. A blackout, on the other hand, can affect entire countries or continents and has massive social, economic and infrastructural consequences. While a localised outage can often be resolved quickly by rerouting the grid, the restoration of an area-wide blackout requires extensive measures and time.

How blackouts occur: Technical causes

Blackouts can be triggered by various technical and external factors:

• Faults in the electricity grid: defects in substations, power stations or transmission lines can lead to uncontrolled voltage drops.
• Weather conditions: Storms, floods or extreme cold can severely damage the electricity grid.
• Human error: Errors during maintenance, incorrect control of the grid or operating errors can cause faults.
• Cyber attacks: Targeted attacks on power plants or grid control systems pose an increasing risk.
• Overloading the grid: If demand exceeds supply, an uncontrolled collapse can occur.