Examining the Blackout on August 15 in Taiwan: Causes, Consequences, and Countermeasures

This paper examines the blackout that occurred in Taiwan power system on August 15, 2017 (the 815 Blackout). The blackout was caused by an interruption of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply from the Taiwan Chinese Petroleum Company (CPC). The interruption resulted in a loss of 4.16 GW of generation, or 11.94% of the total power supply in Taiwan. Under-frequency load shedding (UFLS) scheme was activated to shed loads and undergo the impact of sudden generation loss. To restore the power system, the Taiwan power company (TPC) carried out electricity rationing for nearly five hours. The consequences of the blackout were damages exceeding US$3 million, impacted over 400 companies, and left 5.92 million households without power. This paper examines the root causes of the 815 blackout, the consequences, and the restoration process. Countermeasures taken for the future power system operation are also recommended.