What must be true about the Composite Confirmed Interchanges between adjacent BAs?

The requirement that Composite Confirmed Interchanges between adjacent Balancing Authorities (BAs) must be identical in magnitude and opposite in sign stems from the need for reliability and balance within the electrical grid. This principle ensures that the power flowing into one area from another is precisely matched by the power flowing out, preventing system imbalances that can lead to grid instability.

When one BA exports power, the adjacent BA must import that same amount of power to maintain this equilibrium. As a result, the interchanges must align such that one BA's confirmation of an interchange being a positive value (indicating power flow into its area) matches the opposing confirmation from the neighboring BA showing a negative value (indicating power flow out of its area).

This balance is critical for efficient grid operations and reflects the interconnected nature of the BAs, where power flows do not create disruptions or overloads due to unaccounted differences in transactions. Hence, the requirement strengthens the reliability protocols in grid operations, ensuring that consumption and generation are properly accounted for across interconnected regions.