What action should a Transmission Operator take when reactive resources are expected to be limited in real-time?

When reactive resources are expected to be limited in real-time, the appropriate action for a Transmission Operator is to ensure that adequate dynamic and static MVAR (megavolt-amps reactive) sources are available. This is crucial because maintaining voltage levels across the transmission system is essential for its stability and reliability. Reactive power is necessary to control voltage levels and ensure that the electrical grid functions efficiently.

By ensuring that there are adequate reactive resources, the operator can better support the transmission system and manage any fluctuations that may arise due to varying loads or unexpected changes in generation. This proactive step helps prevent voltage collapse, which can lead to widespread outages and reliability issues.

While there are other actions that might be considered in different situations, such as load shedding or requesting voltage reductions, they may not be immediately necessary if the Transmission Operator can effectively manage the available reactive resources. Increasing generation at all plants may not target the specific issue of reactive power and could unnecessarily increase generation costs or lead to overloading in certain systems without addressing the reactive power deficiency directly.