[AusNOG] Equinix Outage

[Paul Baker]

That's about right.

When a large generator/power station disappears the imbalance of the 
supply and load causes all the other generators in the network to 
physically spin slower resulting in the 50Hz AC drops to 49Hz or below, 
depending on how big the imbalance. All sorts of problems happen when 
these enormous machines are forced to change their speed in an instant 
which can result in them loosing synchronisation with the power grid.

To protect the power grid from a complete blackout (which is very very 
difficult to recover from), breakers trip to shed some of the system 
load and restore the supply/load balance, ergo, load drops to match the 
available supply. This also explains the spikes in the electricity price 
on the AEMO graph - supply vs. demand, etc.

Kind Regards,
Paul Baker

-- 
Inticon Pty Ltd
Phone  1300 798 540 or +61 2 4001 0514
Direct +61 2 4001 0518
Mobile +61 4 0115 1299
Web    http://www.inticon.net.au

Kris Amy wrote:
> Does anyone else read that more as
>
> 1) Grid unable to match to demand
> 2) Bulk breakers tripping
> 3) Lower demand on the grid
>
> --
> Kind Regards,
> Kris Amy
> Enterprise IP
> Phone:     07 3123 5510
> National: 1300 347 287
> Fax:         1300 347 329
> Direct:     07 3123 5511
> Email:      kris.amy at eip.net.au
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ausnog-bounces at lists.ausnog.net [mailto:ausnog-bounces at lists.ausnog.net] On Behalf Of John Edwards
> Sent: Thursday, 2 July 2009 12:46 PM
> To: ausnog at ausnog.net
> Subject: Re: [AusNOG] Equinix Outage
>
> The graphs at the Australian Energy Market Operator show some  
> significant activity at the time, and a big drop in demand;
>
> http://www.aemo.com.au/data/GRAPH_5NSW1.html
>
> John Edwards
>
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