In case of a major weather event causing lines to trip, which action should be prioritized by the System Operator?

In the event of a major weather event causing transmission lines to trip, the top priority for a System Operator is to maintain the stability and reliability of the electrical grid. Shedding load in the affected areas is a critical action because it directly addresses the imbalance that occurs when generation capacity cannot meet the demand due to the loss of transmission capabilities. By temporarily disconnecting certain loads, operators help prevent additional system failures or cascading outages that could have severe consequences.

Load shedding is a proactive measure intended to stabilize the system by reducing stress on the remaining operational equipment and ensuring that the generation sources can adequately cover the lesser load, thus allowing for a more manageable grid situation as corrective actions are taken. This ensures that essential services can remain operational and that the grid can recover gradually without overloading the remaining lines or equipment.

In contrast, increasing generation indiscriminately might exacerbate the situation by overwhelming the system with more power than it can handle, particularly when there are already issues with transmission. Notifying regulatory authorities is important but is not the immediate priority during a crisis; rather, it is part of the broader communication strategy that follows stabilization. Postponing maintenance work can help in certain scenarios, but it does not directly address the immediate challenge of managing a compromised grid caused by