During emergencies, what is a primary goal for dispatchers?

In emergency situations, the primary goal for dispatchers is to enhance grid reliability. This involves ensuring that the electrical grid remains stable and can continue to supply power to consumers without significant interruptions. Dispatchers are tasked with making critical decisions that prioritize the reliability of the grid, particularly during emergencies such as unexpected outages or surges in demand.

By focusing on reliability, dispatchers can implement measures to balance supply and demand, adjust generation levels, and coordinate with various resources to maintain the integrity of the grid. This is particularly crucial since even a slight imbalance can lead to larger, cascading failures that could affect vast areas and disrupt essential services.

While minimizing costs, maximizing generation, and reducing transmission losses are important factors during normal operations, they do not take precedence over reliability during emergencies. Ensuring that the grid functions reliably protects not only the infrastructure but also the safety and well-being of consumers who depend on a stable power supply.