5. Preparing to drive

5.1 A strong need for anticipation

As we have seen with the issues and problems outlined in the previous paragraphs, the operation of large production-transport systems must take into account the great variability of possible situations, the rapidity of dynamic phenomena that can alter them, and the complexity of interactions between the various components and sub-systems. Consequently, the management of large-scale systems can never be improvised. The various market players (first and foremost producers) and grid operators, who are the orchestral conductors of the whole, must anticipate up to several years in advance the conditions that will be managed "in real time".