What does a red alert indicate in a power system?

A red alert in a power system is a significant warning sign that indicates a zero contingency reserve or generation deficiency. This means that the power system is operating at or below its minimum threshold for maintaining stability and reliability. When there is a zero contingency reserve, it suggests that there is no backup capacity available to handle unexpected demands or failures in generation. Such a state can lead to potential blackouts or system failures if additional generation is not brought online or demand isn't curtailed promptly.

In power systems, maintaining an adequate contingency reserve is crucial for managing unexpected events such as generator outages, sudden increases in demand, or transmission line failures. A red alert serves as a critical alert to operators, prompting them to take immediate actions to restore balance, whether by increasing generation, initiating load shedding, or other measures to eliminate the risk of a power system collapse.