Live · Continental Europe · 20:17 CET
Grid frequency right now: 49.984 Hz
Every generator from Portugal to Poland turns in step with every other, 50 times a second. When demand outruns supply the frequency sags; when a power station trips, it dips everywhere at once and reserves push it back. This trace is measured in Freiburg by Fraunhofer ISE and refreshed every minute.
- Now
- 49.984 Hz
- Lowest, last hour
- 49.934 Hz
- Highest, last hour
- 50.026 Hz
- Range, last 24 hours
- 49.913–50.046
The last 24 hours
Notable moments
- Rose to 50.102 Hz
- Dipped to 49.899 Hz
- Jumped to 50.051 Hz (+71 mHz in 10 s)
- Dipped to 49.890 Hz
- Fell sharply to 49.950 Hz (-80 mHz in 10 s)
- Dipped to 49.893 Hz
- Dipped to 49.892 Hz
- Dipped to 49.882 Hz
- Fell sharply to 49.906 Hz (-90 mHz in 10 s)
- Dipped to 49.882 Hz
Questions
Why 50 Hz?
The generators of the synchronous grid of Continental Europe all turn at the same speed, 50 cycles a second, and the frequency is the same everywhere in that grid at any moment. When more power is used than produced, the machines slow down and the frequency falls; when there is a surplus, it rises.
What is a normal frequency?
Most of the time it stays within ±50 mHz of 50 Hz, between 49.95 and 50.05 Hz, which is the grid operators’ standard range. Bigger swings follow the loss of a large power station or a sudden change in demand, and reserves bring the frequency back within seconds to minutes.
What happens if the frequency falls too far?
At 49.8 Hz all of the fast primary reserve is working. If the frequency still falls, grid operators start disconnecting customers automatically in steps from 49.0 Hz, to save the rest of the grid from a blackout.
Why are there swings around the full hour?
Power stations and cross-border trades change their schedules in steps at the full hour and every quarter hour, while demand changes smoothly. The mismatch shows up as short frequency swings at those moments.
Where is it measured?
In Freiburg, Germany, once a second, by Fraunhofer ISE for Energy-Charts (CC BY 4.0). Because the grid is synchronous, the value holds for all of Continental Europe, apart from short local differences during disturbances.