Firm Imports Column (Optional)
Column Type = Text
A value or time series vector, input in MW, specifying the pattern of imports into the zone which can be credited as a firm resource. As such, these values will affect reserve margin calculations and planning reserve margin targets for long-term studies. Additionally, if the zone resides in a single zone Pool, these values may affect Pool Commitment levels. Please see Pool Firm Imports for more information.
Unit economic dispatch and economic zonal imports/exports will continue to be performed on an economic basis.
For reserve margin accounting purposes, specified imports and exports are treated as a resource per NERC definition:
Reserve Margin = (Capacity + Firm Imports – Firm Exports) / (Peak Demand) – 1.
For long-term studies, this column is used in conjunction with the Use reserve margin capacity targets option located in the Long Term folder of Simulation Options. This option can also be specified at the pool level in the Operating Pools table.
The default is zero if the column is missing.
See the Knowledge Base article Long-Term Studies Using Reserve Margins for more information.
Firm Imports Column