ARE Project Management 2026 Complete Practice Exam

Addressing operating problems in a systematic manner is essential for maintaining system stability and reliability. The correct choice, which identifies non-converged contingency as the first problem to address, is grounded in the principles of power system management and operational reliability.

Non-converged contingencies indicate situations where the system cannot reach a stable state after a simulated disturbance. This is critical because if the power system has unresolved non-converged states, it implies significant underlying issues that could affect the system's capability to respond to real-life disturbances. Resolving this problem first ensures that the system's response mechanics are functioning correctly, thereby facilitating better handling of subsequent issues.

In comparison, while other violations such as contingency violation, actual thermal violation, and IROL (Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits) violation are also important, they typically pertain to operational limits and conditions that already assume some level of system stability. If the system cannot converge, then addressing violations related to specific limits or thermal conditions becomes moot, as these scenarios occur under the assumption of convergence.

Therefore, managing non-converged contingencies takes precedence as it lays the groundwork for effectively addressing other operating problems and ensuring the reliability and efficiency of power system operations.