News JVTech Power outage test in France this Friday, December 9: should we fear a blackout at home?
Published on 08/12/2022 at 16:45
Friday, December 9, RTE, the electricity transmission network in France, will carry out a test on a national scale. The objective: to experiment with the action plan linked to the load shedding maneuvers that could take place this winter. Does this mean that cuts are to be expected tomorrow? Here is the answer to this question.
Unless you’re not following the news at all right now, you already know that France is at risk of power cuts during the winter of 2022-2023. This situation is related to lack of electricity in Francein particular due to shutdown for maintenance of 20 nuclear reactors and a recovery schedule that has fallen far behind in recent years. Otherwise, EDF’s water tanks are not completely filledwhich tends to limit the use of hydraulic dams intended to provide additional electricity.
In summary, if the winter is harsh and electricity consumption approaches production, load shedding will have to take place. These are temporary power cuts, intended to rebalance electricity supply and demand.. In the event of a problem, these are cuts of 2 hours which can be set up in certain cities and certain districts, at times defined and planned in advance. To find out more, you can visit the EcoWatt website or download the associated application.
A test carried out by Enedis and RTE on December 9
In theory, the principle of potential winter cuts is well established. In practice, Enedis and RTE must ensure that the French electricity network is prepared for this eventuality : this is why a large-scale exercise will be carried out this Friday, December 9. This will also make it possible to test the organization of the teams in the field.
Load shedding simulations will be carried out during the day on computers presented in the respective premises of Enedis and RTE. The main objective is to repeat the actual procedureto ensure that it is operational and to correct any problems detected during this test phase.
Should we fear a power outage on December 9?
The Enedis and RTE test is presented more as a simulation than as a practical application of the load shedding procedure. Fact, there is no need to worry about a potential power outage in your city : it will not happen. No actual power outage is expected.
Let us recall, again, thatin the event of a power cut necessary this winter, it will be possible to be informed in advance, from 5 p.m. the day before the scheduled cut. The cut may take place between 8 and 10 a.m., between 10 and 1 p.m. or between 6 and 8 p.m. If it is obvious that being deprived of power for two or three hours is restrictive, there is nothing to be afraid of concerning a long “surprise cut”.
Otherwise, the need for load shedding will depend on winter weather conditions and electricity consumption according to geographical breakdown : it is possible that some cities are not affected at all by this situation. We will have to wait for the concrete arrival of winter to find out.
