spinning reserve
n.— «“Sunday morning has to be one of the lowest points in the week for electricity demand on O’ahu,” said Conklin, a retired engineer. “At this particular time, the system should have had plenty of what’s called ‘spinning reserve’ (generators on but not running at capacity) and easily able to withstand a 12 percent loss,” said Conklin.» —“Politicians demand answers to blackout” by Rick Daysog Honolulu Advertiser (Hawaii) Oct. 17, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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