Ukrainian power system cannot immediately reach the basic level of generation - power supply company

Kovalenko wrote about this on Facebook.

"During the attack, there was a sudden break in communication between the regions. In regions where there is excessive generation, the frequency in the network increases sharply, and automation begins to stop generation so that everything does not burn out. On the other hand, consumers are disconnected. The system for saving enters the balance at zero. Once communication between regions is restored, the system cannot immediately reach the basic level of consumption and generation. You can't start conditionally at 100% generation if there is not so much consumption," Kovalenko explained.

For these reasons, the system is launched in stages, and electricity is also supplied to the districts gradually.

"Imagine five regions. Two have excessive generation, and they can generate more electricity than they consume. And in three regions, there is a generation shortage, which means that they consume far more than they produce. All these regions are connected by networks into a single energy system, they have a balance sheet," Kovalenko wrote.

Translation of Sergey Kovalenko's Facebook post:

Evening

The second is not the easiest evening for everyone.

I will explain how it happened that we were without light at all, and why it appears so slowly. Very, very simplifying.

Imagine five regions. Two have excessive generation, and they can generate more electricity than they consume. And in three regions, there is a generation shortage, which means that they consume far more than they produce. All these regions are connected by networks into a single energy system, they have a balance sheet. The chief dispatcher of this territory constantly monitors this balance.

During the attack, there was a sudden break in communication between the regions. In regions where there is excessive generation, the frequency in the network increases sharply, and automation begins to stop generation so that everything does not burn out. On the other hand, consumers are disconnected. The system for saving enters the balance at zero.

After communication between regions is restored, the system cannot immediately reach the basic level of consumption and generation. You can't start conditionally at 100% generation if there isn't much consumption. As a result, the system is introduced gradually. Step by step, by giving a little more generically and by giving this volume to consumption, the previous level of balance is restored. Of course, there are still many variables, but in general, the situation is as follows.

What's happening now? In the Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions, power engineers partially restored the electricity supply. Critical infrastructure facilities have already been connected: hospitals, thermal power plants and pumping stations almost all over the Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions. The Donetsk region also receives electricity. A significant proportion of users in Ukraine are still subject to emergency restrictions.

The situation is complex, but controlled and dynamic. We are talking about hours, not days, and even more so, not weeks. Our colleagues are now doing everything possible to restore supplies and bring light back to your homes. So please be patient. And if you already have electricity, use electrical appliances very carefully.