In the event of an outage, a powerplant operator can typically still rely on the electric grid to keep internal systems like lights, data systems, telecommunication equipment, as well as other auxiliary equipment, to start a generating unit and keep it running.
However, in the event of a widespread outage caused by equipment failure or natural catastrophes, electric grids could go completely out of service, unable to supply any power. This situation drives the need for a powerplant to start a generator unit from a completely non-energized state, without the using external power from the grid. This provisioning is called a “black start.”
A black start occurs when capable plants/units provide the energy to jump start the electric system recovery. In other words, to provide the first minimum amount of electric power that is needed to activate the power grid (including other powerplants and the transmission and distribution system). An ideal black start unit needs minimal time, fuel, and equipment to restart. These characteristics have paved the way for several power generation technologies such as diesel generator sets, hydroelectric units, combustion turbine units, combined cycle units, utility-scale renewable energy power sources, etc.
