Evolution of reliability toward meeting Grid-Enabled users needs

In this paper we point out that the very notion of reliability is changing. This is driven by many heterogeneous factors, which are briefly summarized. As a consequence, it is becoming increasingly difficult to accommodate the needs of grid users without revisiting the basic assumptions underlying today's industry operations and planning. In particular, we suggest that the role of weakly connected control areas (CAs) as the main balancing authorities within an electric interconnection is likely to evolve into a CA becoming an interactive coordinator of its internal Smart Balancing Authorities (SBAs) according to the well-defined protocols. Moreover, the CAs themselves will evolve into larger interactive SBAs within a region and/or interconnection according to the well-defined protocols. Policy and technical solutions in support of such operations will be a major challenge. The challenge ahead is defining rules, rights and responsibilities so that the power is delivered to meet the needs of heterogeneous grid users at value.