What is the default contingency reserve restoration period?

The default contingency reserve restoration period is 90 minutes. This time frame is established as a standard to ensure that power systems have adequate reserves to respond to contingencies, such as sudden outages or substantial losses in generation or load.

In the context of electric power systems, a contingency reserve is additional capacity that is maintained to restore balance and reliability in the event of unexpected disturbances. The 90-minute period allows operators enough time to bring reserves back online and stabilize the system, ensuring that any lost generation can be compensated for effectively. This systematic approach aids in preventing cascading failures and enhances the overall resilience of the power supply.

The selection of this timeframe reflects best practices in power management and reliability standards, which aim to mitigate risks associated with unexpected events in the grid.