How Terna balances energy supply and demand in real-time on the national electricity grid.
Dispatching is the real-time management of energy flows on the electricity grid, ensuring that at every moment production exactly equals consumption. In Italy, it is managed by Terna, the national transmission grid operator.
How balancing works
Why it is necessary
Electricity cannot be stored in large quantities on the grid. If production exceeds consumption, grid frequency rises; if lower, it drops. Deviations from the nominal frequency of 50 Hz can cause equipment damage and blackouts. Dispatching maintains this balance second by second.
The Dispatching Services Market (MSD)
To balance the grid, Terna purchases flexibility services on the MSD: primary, secondary, and tertiary reserves. Producers who can rapidly increase or decrease production are compensated for this availability.
Informational content by IPGS Energy. Information is reviewed as of the stated update date and does not replace a contractual, tax or regulatory assessment specific to an individual business.