In times of oversupply, how is the excess electricity typically handled?

In times of oversupply, the most appropriate action is to curtail the excess electricity or sell it at lower prices. This approach helps maintain the balance between supply and demand within the grid. When there is more electricity generated than consumed, it can lead to instability in the electrical system.

Curtailment involves deliberately reducing the output of certain generators or shutting down less critical generation sources to prevent overloading the grid. This helps in avoiding operational issues and potential damage to the infrastructure. On the other hand, selling the excess electricity at lower prices can incentivize consumers to increase their usage, thus helping to manage the surplus more effectively and ensuring the electrical system remains stable.

Considering the options, storing electricity in large batteries for future use, redirecting it to residential areas, or allowing it to dissipate in the grid are not practical or feasible solutions for managing oversupply, as they either require advanced infrastructure not always available or could lead to more significant issues within the system.