Recommended Methods for Establishing Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits in North America

Interconnection reliability operating limits are system operating limits that, if exceeded, could result in instability, uncontrolled separation, or cascading if the critical contingency were to occur, and are operated within to ensure reliable operation of the bulk power system in North America. This paper presents an analytical framework for establishing IROLs, and recommended modeling and simulation techniques for instability assessment and cascading analysis. The recommended practices are being adopted and used in North America for consistency in study approaches for establishing IROLs.