In certain places there are already systems that can handle when the system load is > available generation. When this occurs, the frequency of the grid drops an

In certain places there are already systems that can handle when the system load is > available generation. When this occurs, the frequency of the grid drops and these automated systems begin dropping load. [0] has a report on such a system in New Zealand that triggered. These systems need to drop load before the frequency gets so low that it causes damage to generating stations. In the 2003 blackout in the northeast US & Canada, load wasn't dropped fast enough and the protection equipment at generating plants tripped them off before damage could occur. For base generation like nuclear plants, you generally need to wait up to 72 hours to restart the plant [1]. One key reason for that long time period is the need to wait for Xenon 135 levels to stabilize. [2] The paper actually considers these systems, but dismisses them because "Third, we disregard the possibility that power utilities react to the sudden increase in the demand either by increasing the available generation or through load shedding. As for the former reaction, it would be ineffective since the primary cause of the blackout in our simulation is the violation of the line capacity limits rather than a generation deficit. The latter reaction may also be ineffective in protecting the residential loads considered in our study since power utilities typically prioritize commercial, industrial and critical loads during such contingencies." So in other words, end consumers would lose power, but the grid would continue to function as designed for critical loads. Hardly seems like the sky is falling. 0. https://www.transpower.co.nz/resources/report-2-march-2017-south-island-aufls-event https://www.transpower.co.nz/resources/report-2-march-2017-s... 1. https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/7394/why-does-it-take-so-long-to-restart-a-nuclear-power-plant https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/7394/why-doe... 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodine_pit#Iodine_pit_behavior https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodine_pit#Iodine_pit_behavior