If an EEA 3 is declared and a deficient Balancing Authority needs additional ATC, from where could the RC potentially obtain this ATC?

When an EEA (Energy Emergency Alert) level 3 is declared, it indicates a significant and serious energy emergency situation. Under these circumstances, a Balancing Authority facing deficiencies in available transfer capability (ATC) may seek additional resources to address this issue.

The Capacity Benefit Margin is particularly relevant in this context because it refers to the amount of extra capacity available to ensure reliability in the event of unexpected demands or outages. This margin can be utilized to alleviate the need for additional ATC since it encompasses resources that are not currently being utilized but can be called upon when demand exceeds supply. Therefore, tapping into the Capacity Benefit Margin can provide the necessary ATC needed to stabilize the grid during an emergency.

Operating Reserves, Emergency Response Resources, and Regulation Resources serve different purposes in grid management and reliability but are not primarily designed to provide additional ATC in the same way that the Capacity Benefit Margin is. Operating Reserves are typically set aside to handle sudden demand surges or generation shortfalls, and while valuable during emergencies, they don’t directly translate to ATC. Emergency Response Resources are also focused on responding to immediate crises but do not inherently create ATC. Regulation Resources assist in balancing supply and demand in real time, but again, their role does