Could Splight’s Technology Prevent Blackouts Like the One That Plunged 90% of Chile into Darkness?
Splight’s Dynamic Congestion Manager leverages machine learning to unlock transmission capacity while simultaneously adding to the grid a real-time, adaptive layer of protection to prevent cascading events.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On February 25th, Chile’s interconnected system experienced a rare double contingency event (N-2) in the 500 kV backbone network connecting the country’s central and northern regions. The result was a widespread blackout that left 90% of Chile’s population without power. This blackout exposed a critical operational vulnerability shared by grids around the world. These grids have had no choice but to rely on grid protection schemes based on offline models – essentially, plans built on dated information that do not reflect the real-time reality of the grid. While these static assumptions have helped to maintain grid reliability historically, the increasing complexity of the modern grid is rendering these traditional methods insufficient. Chile’s National Electricity Coordinator (CEN) concluded plainly, “This particular Automation Defense Scheme was not designed for the type of event on February 25.”
Fortunately, recent technological advancements have made possible a better alternative: a real-time assessment tool that provides protection which is orchestrated at a grid-wide level and continuously optimized based on live grid conditions.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SPLIGHT’S REAL-TIME LAYER OF PROTECTION THAT ALSO EXPANDS TRANSMISSION CAPACITY
Unlike the static, assumption-based defense schemes that many grids rely on, Splight’s Dynamic Congestion Manager (DCM) constantly monitors and controls essential system variables such as voltage, power, and frequency. The Splight DCM proactively adjusts operating parameters to prevent the grid from entering a high-risk state. In the event of an extreme contingency – or even minor one – Splight’s technology assesses how multiple variables are evolving in real-time and, with ultra-fast action responses (e.g. selective generation disconnection or reactive compensation integration), operationally repositions the grid to a safe state.
This dynamic and adaptive approach overcomes the limitations of predetermined offline schemes, which increasingly fall short of capturing the complexity and variability of real-world operating conditions.
In a case like Chile’s blackout, if a system like Splight had been deployed, it could have executed early corrective actions to maintain the interconnection between subsystems and responded to signs of overload and power oscillations on the 220 kV network. These types of protective actions, based on continuous monitoring and adaptive response, make it possible to alleviate overload and reduce instability, avoiding the disconnection of lines and the formation of islands.
Under coordination of Chile’s CEN, independent expert consultants have conducted studies of contingencies of a Level 6 classification – contingencies with a risk of total collapse. The studies concluded that prevention of Level 6 contingencies requires advanced control systems capable of real-time identification of and reaction to such critical events. Existing protection schemes were found to be significantly limited when faced with extraordinary situations, underscoring the need to build and adopt more dynamic and adaptive solutions.
Splight’s DCM technology can handle these types of critical events. By using an approach that combines real-time dynamic evaluation with existing control systems, DCM offers a modern defense to keep the grid functioning, even in the most extreme conditions.
About Splight
Founded in 2021, Splight has developed and deployed a new digital technology that utilizes real-time data streams from existing transmission assets to increase transmission capability while adding enhanced reliability to the grid. With financial backing from industry leaders, including EDP Renewables and Redeia, Splight is poised to modernize the grid. For more information, visit www.splight.com.
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