See Also: North American Reliability Council
An entity established to coordinate operations to maintain system stability
and achieve least-cost dispatch. The dispatch provides backup supplies, excess
sales, Reactive Power support, and Spinning Reserves. Historically, some of these services were provided on an unpriced basis as
part of the pool members’ utility franchise obligations. Coordinating operations includes the
aggregation and firming (see Firm Purchase) of Power from various Generators, arranging exchanges between generators, and establishing (or enforcing) the
rules of conduct for wholesale transactions. The pool may own, manage and/or
operate the transmission lines or be an independent entity that manages the
transactions between companies.