What is a black start of the power grid?
As an engineer who has spent time commissioning electrical systems on oil rigs, I've had the opportunity to witness some truly fascinating tests. However, out of all the tests I've seen, the black start test is by far the most intriguing.Similar to the article, but at a smaller scale, it takes power to start up one of the ~7MW main generators on an oil rig. During commissioning, a black start test simulates a scenario where all power sources on the rig are exhausted, and the emergency backup systems must be used to bring the rig back to life.Starting the main generators on an oil rig is no easy feat. It takes a significant amount of power to get these massive machines running, and it's not as simple as pulling a cord like you would with a lawnmower. In normal circumstances, the rig uses tanks of compressed air to start the generators, but during a black start test, these tanks are assumed to be empty.So, how do you start the main generators in this situation? The answer is with a special emergency hand-cranked air compressor. By cranking (and cranking, and cranking) this compressor, you can generate enough air to start a small air compressor, which in turn is used to pump up the air tank and start the 1.5MW emergency generator. Once the emergency generator is running, it can be used to power the compressors that fill the large tanks needed to start the main generators.Watching this process unfold is truly a unique experience. To see a massive oil rig slowly come to life, all thanks to one person cranking away at a small air compressor, is truly impressive.