Black start

Black start is the process of restarting a power station or restoring a grid section without relying on external electricity. It enables recovery after a widespread outage when the transmission network cannot supply power to generating units.

Black-start generator: A generator capable of starting without electricity from the transmission grid. It supplies the initial power needed to start larger generating units.
Power system restoration: The coordinated process of returning an electricity system to normal operation after a major outage. Black start is the initial stage of restoring a system without an energized grid.
Blackout: A widespread loss of electrical power affecting a region, network, or interconnected system. Black start addresses the recovery problem left by a blackout.
Renewable energy: Energy from sources replenished naturally, including sunlight, wind, and flowing water. Variable renewable output complicates the supply assumptions used in restoration plans.
Cranking power: Electrical power used to start a generating unit and operate its essential auxiliary systems. Black-start units provide cranking power to generators that cannot start independently.
Power plant auxiliary systems: The pumps, fans, controls, and other equipment that support a power plant's electricity-generating units. Restoration plans must energize essential auxiliaries before restarting dependent units.
Cascading failure: A sequence in which an initial failure triggers further failures across an interconnected system. Cascading failures can leave too little energized infrastructure for ordinary restarting.
Battery energy storage system: A system that stores electrical energy in batteries and returns it to a power network when needed. Batteries may provide fast starting power, but their energy duration limits restoration roles.
Gas turbine: A rotary engine that produces power by expanding hot combustion gases through a turbine. Some gas turbines can start independently and energize equipment for larger plants.
Transmission system: The high-voltage network that carries electricity from generators to substations and large loads. Restoration rebuilds transmission paths so generation and demand can reconnect.

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