Current mechanisms for procurement and payment of power reserve services

The UK National Grid Company (NGC) operates under a statutory obligation to maintain the power system frequency within /spl plusmn/1% from nominal, i.e. between 49.5 to 50.5 Hz. The balance between demand and generation must therefore be continuously and automatically maintained such that this obligation is met. This paper describes the commercial arrangements and mechanisms for the procurement and payment of frequency response services in England and Wales.