How does a Balancing Authority contribute to unscheduled power flow that may overload the transmission system?

A Balancing Authority plays a crucial role in maintaining the reliability and stability of the power system within its designated area. One key responsibility is to ensure that the generation, interchange, and load are in balance. When a Balancing Authority fails to maintain this balance, it can lead to unscheduled power flows, which can affect the entire transmission network.

When there is an imbalance, meaning that the generation does not match the load plus any scheduled interchange, it can result in excess generation or shortage of generation. If there is too much generation relative to the load, this additional power will flow into neighboring areas, leading to potential overloads on transmission lines not designed to carry that unplanned power. Conversely, if the generation is too low, it may prompt imports from other areas that could also stress transmission lines.

This imbalance and resulting unscheduled power flow can thus create a scenario where the transmission system becomes overloaded, potentially leading to equipment damage, system instability, and even widespread outages. Therefore, the failure to maintain a balance directly links to the risk of unscheduled power flow and subsequent overload of the transmission system.