Modern power grids are changing fast as wind and solar grow. These weather-driven resources add uncertainty and variability that make it harder for operators to keep the lights on and manage risk. Operating reserves, the upward and downward capacity held ready, are essential. Yet traditional, static approaches to sizing reserves often miss the mark under today’s dynamic conditions.
DynADOR — Dynamic Assessment and Determination of Operating Reserves — addresses this challenge. EPRI’s v6.0 Beta release of DynADOR-CMD provides a data-driven way to quantify reserve needs using historical forecasts, actual metered data, and anticipated operating conditions across load, wind, and solar. The result is an accurate and responsive approach to reserve planning that fits the realities of modern operations.
DynADOR-CMD is a standalone application built for balancing authorities, control areas, and system operators. It analyzes historical and forecasted and actual information, including load profiles, variable energy resource output scheduling parameters, and reserve definitions, to determine reserve levels that align with reliability targets. The tool supports probabilistic forecasting for any variable across the full horizon, enabling robust risk assessments and accurate reserve sizing.
The sixth major release brings several important advances. It integrates probabilistic data from multiple sources for stronger forecasting. It introduces a revamped reserve determination model that improves prediction accuracy and strengthens risk management. It also adds a redesigned architecture that can run without a graphical interface. Users can invoke DynADOR directly from scripts and automate calculations inside existing workflows, which makes adoption straightforward.
With these enhancements, DynADOR offers a robust and flexible model for reserve planning. Operators and planners benefit from:
• Data-driven reserve planning: Methods developed at EPRI determine reserve requirements that adapt to changing system conditions and operational needs.
• Higher reliability and efficiency: Reserve levels that ensure reliability and improve economic efficiency, which helps reduce operating costs.
• Comprehensive and adaptive modeling: Historical trends and probabilistic forecasts combine to deliver a holistic view of risk and a responsive planning process.
This is a beta release. DynADOR was developed through funding from EPRI members interested in the integration of renewables. If you are interested in adopting DynADOR into existing workflows or more generally on dimensioning reserves, reach out to Miguel Ortega-Vazquez at [email protected].
Contact:
Miguel Ortega-Vazquez
Senior Principal Team Leader