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Systemic Resilience

Preventing Domino Failures in the Power Grid

Preventing cascading failures across interconnected power systems

 

Transformers and substations operate as tightly interconnected systems.
A failure at one point can overload neighboring assets, triggering a chain reaction of outages that rapidly extends beyond the initial site.

Once initiated, cascading failures are difficult to contain using conventional protection schemes.

  • nergy authorities consistently highlight that cascading failures propagate faster than traditional response mechanisms can intervene, particularly in highly loaded transmission networks.

From Local Fault to Chain Reaction

Internal Fault

An internal transformer fault initiates a high-energy event at asset level.

Power Surge

The fault generates pressure and electrical surges that propagate beyond the initial transformer.

Relay Trips

Protective relays isolate assets, removing critical capacity from the network.

Grid Overload

Load redistribution increases stress on adjacent substations, raising the probability of secondary failures.

Cascading Outages

Once multiple assets are disconnected, outages propagate across regions, disrupting essential services.
At this stage, the event is no longer local — it becomes systemic.

Building Resilience: Prevention & Mitigation

  • Prevention

Prevention focuses on reducing exposure before faults occur, through targeted risk assessments and infrastructure strengthening.

  • Identifying site-specific vulnerabilities
  • Strengthening infrastructure before failure
  • Preventive maintenance and system upgrades
  • Mitigation

Mitigation addresses the moment of failure itself.
Only solutions capable of acting within the first milliseconds of an internal fault can limit pressure escalation and prevent domino effects.

  • Fast-acting solutions reduce the severity of incidents and limit cascading effects.

How SERGI Contributes to Resilience

Addressing systemic transformer risk requires protection mechanisms capable of intervening before escalation occurs.
SERGI develops passive mechanical protection systems designed to limit the physical consequences of internal transformer faults and support grid recovery.

These systems operate independently of external power, control logic or digital connectivity.

These approaches align with internationally recognized frameworks, including NFPA 850, IEC and IEEE guidance, supporting infrastructure resilience objectives.

Understanding how local faults escalate into systemic failures is essential to defining effective protection strategies.
The next section examines the physical risk mechanisms that drive these cascades — and how they can be addressed.

Explore Risks & Protection