How is inadvertent interchange commonly addressed between control areas?

Inadvertent interchange occurs when there are unintentional imbalances in the scheduled and actual power flows between control areas. This can arise from various factors such as prediction errors in generation, load forecasts, or operational discrepancies. To address inadvertent interchange, scheduling payback deliveries is a common and effective approach.

When control areas find themselves in a situation of inadvertent interchange, they may arrange for payback, which means compensating for the excess or deficit of power in future transactions. This not only helps maintain the balance between the control areas but also aids in ensuring reliability and stability within the interconnected grid. It allows for a systematic resolution of imbalances over time, preventing prolonged disruptions.

Other methods of addressing inadvertent interchange—like frequency bias calculations or real-time adjustments—can play a role in overall grid operation but may not directly resolve the issue of inadvertent interchange in the same structured manner as scheduling payback deliveries. The emphasis on managing future deliveries provides a clear mechanism for reconciliation of imbalances while adhering to contractual and operational standards within the control areas.