If an IROL is exceeded longer than Tv, what could be the potential result?

When an Interconnection Reliability Operating Limit (IROL) is exceeded for a duration longer than the established Time Variable (Tv), it poses a significant risk to the reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System (BES). The IROL is a critical threshold that, when surpassed, indicates that the system is under stress and potentially vulnerable to cascading failures.

Exceeding an IROL for too long can lead to system instability, which may necessitate protective actions such as load shedding or other emergency measures to prevent widespread outages. If the system does not stabilize quickly, the result could be an interruption of power to a large part of the BES, representing a serious risk of blackouts or widespread interference in the electrical grid operations.

Understanding the implications of IROL violations is crucial for system operators, as they must prioritize maintaining reliability and preventing large-scale power disruptions. Thus, when these limits are exceeded, particularly beyond the allotted time threshold, the most immediate and severe risk is indeed the potential for a significant portion of the grid to experience power interruptions.