What is the primary purpose of an UFLS program?

The primary purpose of an Underfrequency Load Shedding (UFLS) program is to arrest the frequency decline in a power system. When there is a disturbance, such as a significant loss of generation or a sudden increase in demand, the system frequency can begin to drop. This decline in frequency can lead to severe reliability issues, including potential system instability and blackouts.

UFLS achieves its objective by automatically disconnecting certain loads when the frequency drops below preset thresholds. By shedding load, the program reduces the total demand on the system, which helps to stabilize the frequency. The restoration of frequency is critical, as maintaining an acceptable frequency range is essential for the safe and reliable operation of the power grid.

In addition, although enhancing energy efficiency and preventing equipment damage are important considerations in grid management, the direct focus of UFLS is to maintain operational integrity by controlling the frequency during emergencies. Increasing grid capacity is not related to the immediate goals of UFLS, which is specifically designed to react to frequency drops rather than proactively expand the system's capabilities.