How much time does a system operator have to recover from a greater than or equal to 80% MW loss of Most Severe Single Contingency (MSSC)?

The correct answer is indeed 15 minutes. This timeframe is crucial in transmission operations as it aligns with the requirements set by NERC regarding system reliability.

When a transmission system experiences a loss due to a Most Severe Single Contingency (MSSC)—defined as the most detrimental event that can occur in a given system—recovering from a significant loss (specifically, greater than or equal to 80% of the system's capacity) becomes essential to maintain operational stability and prevent cascading failures.

The 15-minute recovery time is a benchmark that allows operators to quickly assess the situation, implement mitigation strategies, and restore the system back to a secure state. Within this period, operators should be identifying the extent of the loss, activating necessary reserves, coordinating with adjacent entities if needed, and potentially redistributing loads to stabilize the grid.

Understanding this timeframe contributes to a system operator's ability to ensure reliability and prevent outages, as it provides a standard for response and readiness, enhances situational awareness, and prompts necessary actions before the effects of such a significant loss can escalate.