Export/import of spinning reserve in interconnected generation systems

Interconnected power systems may import energy and/or purchase spinning reserves from neighbors in order to reduce risk. A probabilistic technique is presented to assess import and/or spinning reserve purchase requirements of interconnected systems in order to overcome the effects of inadequate operating capacity on unit commitment risk. A unit commitment technique which can include options of spinning reserve purchase/sale is presented. A method of assessing the portion of the running cost in interconnected power systems due to export/import and purchase of spinning reserve is also illustrated