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Global Power Grids Mysteriously Sagging Every Minute
9 Nov
Summary
- Power grids worldwide experience unexplained frequency drops every 60 seconds.
- Stationary batteries, particularly UPS devices, checking their charge cause the issue.
- Randomizing charge checks is proposed as a solution to prevent grid instability.
Mysterious electrical anomalies causing inexplicable frequency sags on power grids worldwide every 60 seconds have finally been solved. Researchers identified that stationary batteries, including data center Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and large grid-scale batteries, checking their state-of-charge in synchronization are the primary culprits. This globally occurring phenomenon, observed across continents, creates minute disturbances that were previously baffling grid managers.
These synchronized charge checks, particularly prevalent in regions with significant data center loads like Ireland, cause disturbances that, while small individually, collectively impact grid stability. The issue has been growing, with frequency drops quadrupling in Ireland between 2016 and 2021.
Experts suggest a simple software patch randomizing the charge-checking schedule for UPS and battery manufacturers could resolve the problem. However, the widespread use of unpatched IoT devices also presents a risk, potentially requiring regulatory intervention and global coordination to ensure grid reliability.
