If a Balancing Authority (BA) has 500 MW of spinning reserves and 300 MW of that are regulating reserves, what does NERC require for those reserves?

In the context of NERC requirements for Balancing Authorities, spinning reserves are a critical component of reliability standards. When a Balancing Authority has 500 MW of spinning reserves, and 300 MW of that qualifies as regulating reserves, it is essential for those reserves to be on line and Automatic Generation Control (AGC) responsive.

Being "on line" means the reserves are actively available and can be deployed quickly in response to discrepancies between generation and load. This is vital for maintaining system frequency and ensuring that operational demands can be met without delays that could lead to reliability issues. Additionally, being AGC responsive indicates that these reserves can automatically adjust production in response to real-time system needs, which enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of managing balancing efforts.

Thus, NERC stipulates that regulating reserves must be kept in a state of readiness, ensuring they can respond immediately to fluctuations in demand or unexpected losses of generation. This requirement helps sustain system reliability and stability, protecting against potential disturbances in the grid.