After a contingency resulting in an Interconnection Reliability Operating Limit violation, how quickly must the Transmission Operator return the system within limits?

The correct timeframe for a Transmission Operator to return the system within limits after a contingency that results in an Interconnection Reliability Operating Limit (IROL) violation is 30 minutes. This requirement is crucial for maintaining the reliability and stability of the interconnected power system.

After an IROL violation occurs, the Transmission Operator must take immediate action to alleviate the violation. The 30-minute guideline emphasizes the urgency of restoring the system's operating conditions to acceptable limits. This allows for timely corrective measures, such as redispatching generation, adjusting load, or implementing other operational strategies to ensure that reliability is maintained and the risk of further issues is minimized.

Establishing a clear timeframe helps ensure that all Transmission Operators are aligned and responsive during critical situations, ultimately contributing to the overall reliability of the electric grid.