Mystery of 60-Second Fluctuations in Power Grids Solved

Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich have identified the cause of mysterious 60-second frequency dips observed in European power grids: large-scale battery storage systems simultaneously checking their state of charge every minute. This synchronized behavior across many battery systems worldwide creates measurable fluctuations in electricity consumption that can contribute to equipment wear, though the deviations are not critical to grid security. The findings could help optimize power grid robustness as battery storage systems continue to proliferate globally.