Abstract

Security of energy supply is a main concern worldwide, given the strong dependence on society functioning on its adequate delivery. Surges in fuel prices, political conflicts, wars and natural disasters threaten directly energy supply, and countries look at ways to protect themselves. On February 2010 an 8.8 Richter scale earthquake hit the central part of Chile and a tsunami following the earthquake hit coastal areas, affecting the most populated area of the country. Main supplies collapsed, electricity, water, gas, telephones, contributing to make matters worse for the suffering population. This paper illustrates events that took place in electricity supply during and after the earthquake in Chile, its impact on the generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, and the lessons to be learned. The challenges in reconstruction are also discussed. The main interconnected system, generation and main transmission grid, was able to resume partial operation within a few hours, although in a weak condition. Damage took place in some main substations, and alternative paths and operational conditions had to be found. Security criteria had to be degraded in the system operation and handling of the main grid. The Chilean codes impose strict anti seismic standards for all electricity infrastructure construction, but the earthquake strength still produced damage in some grid installations. However, the most severe damage took place in the distribution networks, vast areas were left with no supply for weeks, including the large city of Concepcion being severely affected. ©2010 IEEE.