Which process ensures that a system remains within operational limits following a disturbance?

The process that ensures a system remains within operational limits following a disturbance is load shedding. This is a critical practice used in electric power systems to maintain stability and prevent total system failure. In the event of an imbalance between generation and load—often triggered by sudden disturbances such as equipment failures or unexpected spikes in demand—load shedding selectively reduces the electrical load to stabilize the grid.

Load shedding helps to quickly bring the system back into balance by disconnecting less critical loads or consumers where possible. This action helps prevent widespread outages or more significant disruptions that could occur if the system were to become overloaded. It is a form of emergency response that contributes to operational reliability and safety within the power sector.

Other processes such as interchange agreements, equipment upgrades, and regulatory compliance focus on different aspects of power system operations but do not directly address immediate responses to operational disturbances in real-time like load shedding does.