EE1401 POWER SYSTEM OPERATION AND CONTROL

Reserve requirements

Installed reserve
is the amount of existing generation that is higher than that needed to reliably meet a
forecasted peak load . While operating reserve is the requirement to tackle the next largest possible
contingency so that the system can recover from that quickly, installed reserve should equal that
required to meet the combined outages of all generation as well as abnormally high peak loads. The
amount of installed reserves is so much so that it ensures that sufficient generation is constructed so
that when multiple generators are either on a scheduled or forced outage the probability of being able
to meet the load without interruption is high. The installed reserve requirement therefore typically
exceeds the operating reserve requirement since it considers peak loads and the combined outages of
all generation.
The spinning reserve
is the unused capacity that can be activated by the system operator and which is provided by
generators synchronized to the network. Spare synchronized capacity, which cannot be activated by
the system operator, is usually not included in spinning reserve but in many systems generators bid all
their synchronized spare capacity for balancing consumption and generation.
Spinning reserve can also be provided from demand side. For example a consumer can agree to
disconnect or reduce its pump load on request from system operator.
Hot (spinning) and cold (non - spinning) reserves are the most basic requirements for
ensuring quality and reliability of power supply. Adequacy depends entirely on the level of desired
reliability in a particular system.
As mentioned before Hot or Spinning Reserve is the reserve capacity that is synchronized to
the grid system and should be capable of meeting the demand within 10 minutes of a dispatch
instruction. It is useful during emergency conditions and unexpected load swings.
Non-Spinning Reserve is capacity of generators not running at present that can be ramped to
capacity and synchronized to the grid within 10 minutes of a dispatch instruction and should be
capable of maintaining that output for at least two hours. Non-Spinning Reserve is useful during
emergency conditions.

References:
A report by World Energy Council on energy market reform.

MEENAKSHI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, CHENNAI 78