Did ‘induced atmospheric vibration’ cause blackouts in Europe? An electrical engineer explains the phenomenon

Most of the power has been restored in Spain, Portugal, and southern France following a widespread blackout on Monday. The blackout created havoc for millions of individuals, disrupting traffic lights, ATMs, public transport, phone service, and forcing people to rely on candles for light. Some were even stranded in trains and elevators during the outage. Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, mentioned that the exact cause of the blackout is still unknown. Initially, Portugal’s grid operator REN blamed the incident on “induced atmospheric vibration,” although they have since denied this explanation. The article delves into the impact of weather on electricity supply, highlighting that 83% of blackouts in the United States between 2000 and 2021 were weather-related. Weather events like cyclones, heatwaves, and bushfires can affect the power supply by damaging infrastructure. Vibrations in power lines, caused by factors like wind, can stress grid infrastructure and potentially lead to blackouts. To mitigate these risks, grid operators use wire stabilizers known as “stock bridge dampers.” The article also explores the concept of “induced atmospheric vibration” as a potential cause of the recent blackout in Europe, which involves wavelike movements in the atmosphere triggered by temperature or pressure changes. The piece emphasizes the importance of understanding atmospheric behavior and transitioning to more resilient energy systems to mitigate the risks posed by environmental and electrical stresses. It suggests embracing innovative solutions like community microgrids to enhance energy autonomy and build a secure electricity system for the future.