What action should a System Operator take when voltage levels need to be increased in the system?

Increasing voltage levels in an electrical system is primarily achieved through the management of reactive power. When voltage levels drop, the system may experience instability, and the operator must take appropriate actions to restore the voltage to acceptable levels.

Increasing reactive power supply effectively boosts voltage levels because reactive power plays a crucial role in maintaining voltage stability across the network. When reactive power is increased, it counteracts voltage drops by supplying necessary volt-amperes reactive (VAR) to the system, allowing the voltage to rise and maintain system reliability. This aligns with the principles of electric power flow, where reactive power supports the voltage at various points in the system.

While actions such as reducing active power supply, decreasing load demand, or disconnecting generators might alter system performance, they are not the primary methods for directly increasing voltage levels. Reducing active power can potentially lower voltage further, decreasing demand might not address the underlying voltage issue, and disconnecting generators could lead to a loss of capacity and worsen voltage stability. Therefore, focusing on increasing reactive power supply is the most effective and directly relevant action for raising voltage in the system.