A rolling blackout is a controlled load-shedding procedure initiated by grid operators when electrical demand exceeds available generation. Dispatchers systematically disconnect power to specific feeder circuits for a set period, usually one to two hours, before restoring them and disconnecting the next block. This rotating approach distributes the outage burden across the customer base while keeping the overall grid frequency stable.
Generation just lost unit three, so prepare to initiate a rolling blackout in block A to keep the frequency up.
Also heard as
- rotating outage
- load shedding
Related terms
Peak shaving
The practice of reducing electrical power consumption during periods of maximum demand on the grid.
HVTL
A high-voltage transmission line carries bulk electricity over long distances from power plants to substations.
Minigrid
A localized power generation and distribution network that can operate independently from the main grid.