Operational Coordination

The systematic operational alignment of Utility assets and non-Utility Energy Resources via Dispatch Instructions, direct technical control and/or market-based incentives, to ensure System Security, Resource Adequacy and economic efficiency over time windows from days to milliseconds.    

As the proportion of conventional Synchronous Generation declines, and growing levels of operational Volatility are experienced with the deployment of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE), scalable new models of coordination become essential.  In many contexts, this presents significant challenges as GW-scale Power Systems transition from hundreds to tens of millions of participating Energy Resources.   

Importantly, while legacy Power Systems often have entrenched structural demarcations, the Laws of Physics interact with them as singular, integrated Systems.  In a high-VRE and high-CER/DER context, advanced Operational Coordination mechanisms will be required to enable the Bulk Power System, Transmission Networks and Distribution Networks – and the rapidly expanding fleet of Consumer Energy Resources (CER/DER) – to function together more dynamically and holistically as a self-balancing system. 

The concept of Operational Coordination is integral to the topic of Orchestration.  Refer also to the topics of Electric Products, Electric Product Value, Value Stacking and Co-optimisation.  

Given the fast-evolving nature of power system transformation, the Future Grid Accelerator (FGA) has the status of a perpetual BETA version. Your suggestions for how each concept and definition may be enhanced are very welcome.

All feedback will be reviewed and considered for inclusion in subsequent updates.

Please provide your suggestions to improve to this definition: