Re: The Spanish Grid Drop-out - recently released information.

On 5/17/2025 5:28 PM, Glen Walpert wrote:

Yes.  I think Theo's notion was to provide a "reference signal"
to the "network" (via RF) instead of letting the network itself supply
that.  Thinking, perhaps, that <something> could better hold the
network's individual cogenerators in closer "check"
than allowing them to be semi-autonomous.

 I would seem to be possible to sync all sources to a common reference such
as GPS time, with the grid operator providing power and phase settings to
all sources via network to balance load and sources.  Stability analysis
of such a network might be a good subject for a PhD thesis.  There is work
being done on standards for micro-grids where all sources could be
inverters, and there has to be some method of synchronizing and load
sharing but I haven't heard any details on how.

Distributing the signal wouldn't be an issue.  The problem might be that
the network exhibits different phase shifts over such a large geographical
area.  I.e., is a zero crossing in Boston coincident with one in San Diego,
*presently*?
Then, there would be the issue of how to address a loss of that signal,
even if only temporarily (e.g., malicious actors bringing down portions of the
grid with small wireless transmitters)

Right, the first generation of solar inverters was like that, the
second generation of 'grid assist' inverters will assist in grid
stabilization if properly used.  At least some of these require a local
battery and limit grid connected inverter output to 80% of stand-alone
rating so there is almost always some reserve for grid support.

>
How are the "legacy" installations treated?  Are they mandated to
replace (or update) their controllers to comply with "new requirements"?
  Or,
is the hope that their effects will be lost in the noise?
>
(I'm thinking particularly about folks who paid for residential solar
installation and might -- potentially -- be forced/coerced into having
to do an equipment upgrade because of issues with "their version" of the
hardware.)

 In the US there has never been a requirement to update legacy
installations, not sure about elsewhere.

Exactly.  So, you have to address the problems that you've already
baked into the network (or, the gummit/utility has to absorb the cost of
such an upgrade)

There is a 35 minute UL advertisement at:
 https://www.ul.com/grid-code-compliance-ul-solutions
 Ignore the form and play the video, suggest sound off and drag cursor from
slide to slide, should take less than 5 min to read them all.

At 13:25 "all types of generators with power greater than 800 W"
Is that a typo?  Are there such small nodes?  Or, are they just being
overly protective of their shared assets?

The status of much of the proposed EU harmonized grid standards is "lack
of agreement" :-).

The timeline (history) is scary.  Can they agree on ANYTHING??  :<