Researchers Identify Synchronized Battery Systems as Cause of Global Power Grid Frequency Disturbances
Researchers led by Dirk Witthaut at Forschungszentrum Jülich have solved a long-standing mystery regarding mysterious, synchronized frequency drops occurring every 60 seconds on power grids worldwide. While initially suspected to be related to hydropower resonance, investigations revealed that the disturbances are caused by the near-perfect clock synchronization of internet-connected battery energy storage systems. As stationary batteries—ranging from large grid-scale storage to data center Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)—periodically check their state-of-charge every minute, their simultaneous operation creates a collective disruption. This phenomenon is particularly evident in regions with high data center density; for example, the frequency drop on Ireland's grid quadrupled between 2016 and 2021 as data centers increased their electricity consumption.
Topics: electrical grid stability frequency oscillations grid management research hydropower resonance