What is the CPS1 requirement that a Responsible Entity must adhere to?

The CPS1 requirement is a crucial component of the reliability standards established by NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) to ensure that there is effective control over the power system. The CPS1, or Control Performance Standard 1, is designed to measure a responsible entity's effectiveness in managing its control area through the metric of balancing supply and demand in real-time.

In this context, having a CPS1 greater than or equal to 100% indicates that a control area is performing effectively in maintaining its Area Control Error (ACE) within acceptable limits. Achieving a CPS1 score of 100% or higher suggests that the entity has successfully minimized voltage and frequency deviations, thereby contributing to the overall stability and reliability of the electrical grid.

The other options do not align with the CPS1 requirement. Maintaining an ACE below zero is not necessary for compliance, as the goal is to manage ACE effectively rather than strictly maintain it at a negative value. Operating without regional coordination is counterproductive to grid reliability, as effective coordination among regions is essential for stability. Lastly, simply lowering energy consumption does not directly correlate to the CPS1 metric, which focuses explicitly on ACE management and the balance of generation and load.

Thus, understanding that a CPS1 of 100%