An enumerative analysis of major power blackouts in Asian region in the last two decades

Abstract

Power System represents an interconnected network, where generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy takes place. They are complex systems constituting various components like synchronous generators, motors, transformers, circuit breakers, transmission lines etc. A power system is required to operate in a reliable manner, thus providing continuous power supply of good quality. This requires the power system to be stable. Blackouts can occur due to equipment failure, human errors, natural disasters, overloading / imbalance, cyber-attacks, lack of redundancy etc. When they act in a combined manner/ if one of those issues lead to the other issue, widespread and long - lasting blackouts happen. Severities of the blackouts depend on geographical extent, duration of its existence, financial repercussions, and initial services being broken, public safety. This paper discusses the major blackouts that have occurred in the Asian region, in the last two decades, along with their causes and consequences.