What should the System Operator do when voltage levels on the power system need to be reduced?

When voltage levels on the power system need to be reduced, decreasing the reactive power supply is the correct action for the System Operator to take. Voltage in an electrical system is closely tied to reactive power. An increase in reactive power can lead to higher voltage levels, while a decrease in reactive power tends to lower the voltage.

Reactive power is essential for maintaining voltage levels and supporting the transmission of active power. If voltage levels are too high, decreasing reactive power helps reduce the voltage by alleviating some of the dielectric stress in the system. This can be achieved by adjusting equipment such as capacitors or synchronous condensers that provide reactive power support.

By managing reactive power, the System Operator can effectively control voltage levels to ensure the power system remains within its operational limits and functions safely and reliably.