Why the blackout was massive



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An error caused an unstoppable chain effect. And the consequences are obvious: a generalized general breakdown. Argentina has the entire connected electricity generation and transmission system, which gives it stability and "equity", but also makes it vulnerable to hazards because of the lack of "relief".

The electricity service in each house is based on three fundamental pillars: the production, transmission and distribution of energy. Everything is connected via the national interconnection system; an energy ring that allows electricity produced at one point to be consumed according to the demand at the other end of the country.

Here is how the system works

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The generators are numerous. There are hydroelectric dams, thermal power stations, nuclear power plants and other sources. This energy is injected into the system. Then, companies that transport energy come into play. In this case, the Transener company is the key: it is the mixed company that controls the interconnected system, that is to say, the transportation in all. country and coordination. This company is controlled by Pampa Energía, the same company that in Mendoza owns the power plants of the South. At the regional level, each zone has its own operator who feeds the network "down". In the province, it is Distrocuyo who has the service. Cammesa is the other fundamental element because the energy wholesaler buys and sells this input.

The third step is the distribution of energy. It is the companies that buy the electricity and distribute it to the users; that is the last link in the chain.

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Mendoza generates enough energy to power almost the entire year. However, no jurisdiction has total independence because, precisely, the idea is that there is a coordinated use. Yes, the system can "get up" in the face of an extreme emergency, provided that the interconnection is removed from the line. That's what happened today: Mendoza was able to restore the system faster than the others because it had disconnected from the ring and started using the energy produced in the province. Then, when the situation returns to normal, they would "reconnect" to the network.

According to preliminary information, the blackouts would have occurred in the country's main hydropower plant. It is Yacyretá. This error left the system unreserved and the generation of everything else was not enough to compensate for the fall of Yacyretá, which equates to 15% of all the energy consumed in the country. According to official information, once the problem is solved, the generators Salto Grande and El Chocón have been reinforced in Neuquén.

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