What action should a Balancing Authority take after a system disturbance and observed tie-line loading?

In the context of a system disturbance, the role of a Balancing Authority is to ensure the reliability and stability of the electrical grid. When a disturbance occurs, it is essential to assess the situation carefully and coordinate with other entities to manage the impacts effectively.

Choosing to contact the Reliability Coordinator to discuss mitigation options is the appropriate action, as this involves collaboration and communication with a higher-level entity that has a broader view of the grid and can provide guidance based on situational awareness across multiple balancing authorities. The Reliability Coordinator can assist in developing a coordinated response strategy that considers the entire system's stability and reliability.

This approach is also aligned with principles of maintaining system reliability, as it allows the Balancing Authority to make informed decisions based on expert advice and collective operational perspectives, rather than acting unilaterally or in haste.

Other alternatives, while they may seem reasonable, could lead to risks. For instance, load-shedding measures could be extreme and might not be warranted if a comprehensive assessment could lead to less disruptive solutions. Monitoring the situation without any changes may also be inadequate without an assessment of the potential risks to system reliability. Lastly, increasing generation indiscriminately could exacerbate the situation rather than stabilize it, potentially causing further imbalances in the