Which loads should be restored first according to restoration plans?

Restoration plans prioritize loads based on their importance to overall system stability and public safety. Critical loads are defined as those essential for maintaining grid stability and ensuring the functioning of critical services during a power restoration effort. This may include hospitals, emergency services, water treatment facilities, and other vital infrastructure that must remain operational to protect public health and safety.

Restoring critical loads first is crucial because these loads help prevent system cascading failures and can support the broader restoration of other loads once the necessary infrastructure is in place. Prioritizing these loads ensures that emergency and essential services have the power they need to function effectively, ultimately aiding in quicker recovery and reliable service for all customers.

Commercial and residential loads, while important, are not prioritized in the same way during the initial phases of recovery because the immediate focus is on securing the integrity of the electrical system and maintaining essential services. Non-essential loads represent the lowest priority in a power restoration scenario and are typically reconnected last.