Operation

In grid operation, it is essential to ensure a balance of deliveries and withdrawals at all times, i.e. between the supply of energy, produced domestically and imported, and consumption by end users. This function is called dispatching.

Preparation to operation in real time includes the programming of unavailability (of grid or production plants) with different time frames, the forecast domestic electricity demand, its comparison in coherence with the programme of production determined as the result of the free energy market (Power Exchange and off-Power Exchange contracts), the acquisition of resources for dispatching and the verification of transits of power for all transmission grid lines.

During the real time control stage, the national control centre, coordinating other centres on the territory, monitors the electrical system and carries out dispatching, intervening, where differences are seen in the structure forecast for production plant failures or grid elements failures or for a trend in demand that differs from forecasts, with commands to producers and remote operation centres, in order to modulate the supply and grid structure. To avoid the risk of grid degeneration and extensive power failures, it may intervene in an emergency, also to reduce the demand.