Author: Dr. Nenad Končar, M.Sc.Eng.
Date: April 29, 2025
Summary of a Possible Technical Cause of the Grid Collapse
According to Croatian physicist Dr. Ivica Aviani, the possible cause of the power grid collapse on the Iberian Peninsula was not an atmospheric phenomenon, but a loss of synchronization among generators within the grid. The electrical system depends on perfect alignment of frequency and phase of all generators—if even a slight difference occurs, the grid attempts to "correct" it, potentially leading to exponential amplification of oscillations.
Dr. Aviani compares this behavior to microphone feedback: when a microphone picks up noise from a speaker and sends it back to the amplifier, it creates a loop that increasingly amplifies the noise—until the system collapses. In the grid, a similar effect can arise from a small phase or voltage impulse difference, leading on a large scale to a cascading reaction and the breakdown of the common grid "shaft."
Darkness in the Iberian Peninsula: What the Grid Collapse Taught Us
The recent energy collapse that hit Spain and Portugal exposed serious weaknesses in Europe's power grid. The synchronized operation of generators, which forms the basis of a stable grid, was disrupted—likely due to a technical disturbance that triggered a cascading positive feedback reaction.
The question arises: How can Europe protect itself from such disturbances in the future?
Regardless of the Possible Source of Failure, One Possible Answer Lies in Containers with Used Batteries
Adriadiesel is developing a modular battery power plant in a container format, using "second-life" batteries from electric vehicles. These systems are not only environmentally sustainable—they are also a key tool for grid stabilization.
How Does It Work?
- Millisecond Response
Unlike conventional generators, battery systems react in real time, making them ideal for primary frequency regulation in the grid. When frequency starts to oscillate, the system immediately delivers or absorbs energy to prevent synchronization breakdown. - The Role of Advanced Inverters in Stabilizing the Grid with Solar and Other Renewable Sources
Advanced inverters simulate the operation of a classic synchronous generator—providing the grid with "artificial inertia" necessary for stability and reactive power (voltage regulation).
Advanced inverters can operate in so-called grid-forming mode (where the inverter defines voltage and frequency instead of just following them), actively stabilizing the grid and enabling operation even in the event of a main source outage, provided there is sufficient capacity and proper coordination with other sources.
An excessive share of renewable systems without advanced inverters capable of generating artificial inertia and reactive power leads to:
- voltage instability,
- transformer overload/difficult operation,
- and even possible system instability/outages in the grid at critical moments.It is highly likely that any power system simultaneously operates with a set of various inverter technologies, making it necessary to balance power grids with a system like the battery storage power plants we recommend here.
Furthermore, due to the constant development of new technologies, it is highly likely that any power system in the future will continue to use a set of various inverter technologies simultaneously. Most likely, the problem of inverter technology diversity will not disappear; it will only get worse.
- Restoration After Failure (Black Start)
Regardless of the possible source of failure, in the event of a total outage, a battery power plant can act as a black-start unit, depending on the designed power, system topology, and technical configuration of the transmission network, as well as the power, location, and recovery strategy—to restart parts of the grid without the need for an external power source. Pilot applications of such systems already exist.
What Does Adriadiesel Offer?
- Container units of 1.5 MWh, equipped with air conditioning, protection, and smart control systems.
- Scalability up to 600 containers (or more, depending on need) to support the grid at the regional or national level.
- Integration with renewable sources (solar, wind).
- Utilization of batteries from electric vehicles reduces waste and production costs.
Practical Application
In a case like the one that occurred in the Iberian Peninsula, 50 to 100 Adriadiesel containers deployed around key hubs (Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon) could:
- prevent grid collapse,
- enable a "soft" transition between production and consumption,
- provide time for operators to redirect loads and avoid cascading failures.
Sustainability and Economy
These systems:
- extend battery life by another 5–10 years,
- use Adriadiesel's infrastructure for production and logistics,
- create new green technologies that can be exported throughout Europe.
Important Regardless of the Actual Cause of the Outage
What happened now in Spain and Portugal can happen to any power system.
Regardless of the actual cause of the power grid outage/instability, sufficiently large battery energy storage systems can react quickly and powerfully enough to stabilize the power grid in real time and later quickly restore the grid for uninterrupted operation.
Because ready technical solutions exist, we urge power grid operators to urgently plan and implement the necessary backup safety systems like battery energy storage without delay.
The Future Lies in Decentralized Stability
As Europe transitions to renewable sources, it loses the natural stability offered by fossil fuel power plants. Containerized battery systems, like those developed by Adriadiesel, are key to energy security and resilience.
It's time for car batteries to get a second life—in the service of the stability of entire nations.
Contact and Partnerships
Adriadiesel invites collaboration with:
- electric utilities,
- cities and regions needing energy resilience,
- EV battery manufacturers.
For more information, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Other Titles of This Blog:
- Container Battery Power Plant: Adriadiesel's Solution for the Future of a Stable Grid
- Container Battery Power Plants: Second Life of Batteries for the First Line of Defense of the Power Grid
- Car Batteries, Shield for the Grid: Adriadiesel's Technical Solution for the 21st Century
- The Grid of the Future Begins in a Container: Adriadiesel and Stabilization of Frequency, Voltage, Artificial Inertia, and Reactive Power
Renowned Croatian Physicist: 'I Don't Believe Temperature Caused the Collapse; I Suspect What Actually Happened'
Source: Jutarnji List Article