ERCOT's November 2024 unofficial peak demand was recorded at 60,170 megawatts, an increase of 3,635 megawatts from November 2023.
Three OCNs were issued in November: one for a topology change in the Panhandle IROL region, and two anticipating possible future emergency conditions.
A new PVGR penetration record of 44.17% was set on November 20th at 14:55.
Inconsistencies were identified in the largest net load ramp table for 2016-2020, which have now been corrected.
Freddie Garcia confirmed there were no reliability risks associated with the new PVGR penetration record, and generation was sufficient to meet demand.
All ERCOT end-of-year reports have been posted on the ERCOT website.
Reports include:
Constraints and Needs Report
Regional Transmission Plan Report
Long Term System Assessment Report
Grid Reliability and Resilience Assessment Report
ERCOT will hold an EHV 765 workshop on January 27th to discuss the 765 plan.
The new Grid Reliability and Resilience Assessment Report is a requirement from Senate Bill 1281, and ERCOT is required to perform this assessment every other year.
The assessment studied two extreme weather scenarios:
A winter peak scenario similar to the 2021 Uri storm
A Category 5 hurricane scenario hitting Houston
Findings suggest that transmission enhancements are needed to reduce load loss and prevent system cascading events.
For the winter peak scenario, ERCOT found a need to enhance import paths to Central Texas and between South Dallas and Central Texas.
For the hurricane scenario, substation hardening is crucial in reducing the impact on the Texas grid and consumers.
Ping Yan suggested that results could be further discussed in the January RPG meeting.
Mina Turner was nominated as PLWG chair for 2025, currently vice chair for 2024.
Kristin Cook was nominated as vice chair, noted for active participation in PLWG.
▶️ 12.1 - PGRR115, Related to NPRR1234, Interconnection Requirements for Large Loads and Modeling Standards for Loads 25 MW or Greater - PLWG - Possible Vote
In December, comments and discussions focused on disconnecting large industrial loads and establishing stability and steady screening thresholds.
There was talk about including criteria for a standalone 1,000 MW load interconnection.
PLWG decided to table the discussion for additional follow-up at the January meeting due to ongoing discussions and the need for responses to comments.
▶️ 12.2 - PGRR119, Stability Constraint Modeling Assumptions in the Regional Transmission Plan - PLWG - Possible Vote
The item was taken back from the last ROS for further comments from joint commenters.
ERCOT will collaborate with joint commenters to refine the language of the item.
The discussion on this item was tabled pending further discussion in January.
▶️ 12.3 - PGRR120, SSO Prevention for Generator Interconnection - PLWG - DWG - Possible Vote
Southern Power submitted comments on the proposal.
Proposed addition: Allowing existing generation resources to modify interconnection to a series compensated line if SSO is mitigated.
ERCOT requested more time to review comments.
The item was tabled for further discussion in January.
▶️ 12.4 - PGRR122, Reliability Performance Criteria for Loss of Load - DWG - PLWG - Possible Vote
Introduction of PGRR122, which adds planning criteria to limit the total loss of load to less than 1000 megawatts under ERCOT and NERC reliability criteria.
Discussion on including NERC P6 standards and potential overlap with events defined in PGRR115.
The PLWG tabled PGRR122 for further discussion in January.
Tracking of NERC standards CIP-013 and TPL-008 which affect planners.
An ongoing action item to review and revise the use of 'load' in the planning guide for alignment with protocol section 2, continuing in planning working group meetings.
▶️ 13 - Dynamics Working Group - DWG - Paul Koberlein.
Leadership: Julia Matevosyan and Miguel Cova Acosta agreed to serve another year as chair and vice-chair respectively.
NERC Updates: NERC projects, part of FERC order 901 related to IVR performance and monitoring, have been submitted before the deadline fulfilling milestone 2.
Current and Upcoming NERC Projects: Projects are moving towards milestone 3, focusing on modeling, including EMT modeling. A technical conference is scheduled for January 15th-16th.
TRE SAR for BAL-001-TRE: Clarifying roles and PFR performance for batteries. Does not address deep core payments and wind generation performance.
ERCOT's IVR Category 2: Resources of 20-75 MW must register with NERC by May 2025-2026.
NERC Level 2 IVR Modeling Alert: NERC has received and analyzed responses. TRE will present findings at the January IBRWG meeting.
Suzy Clifton updated the items; some require confirmation to be removed.
Updates discussed in the NDSWG handbook; still under review.
PLWG provided an update on their progress.
Susana Hildebrand to present on EPA issues at the January 30th WWG meeting.
EEA2 event item removed; parking lot item KTC 15.15 Black Start Service remains.
Approval process described for removing items upon TAC confirmation.
Meetings scheduled through August and Webex conflicts noted.
Chase Smith raised questions about NOGRR245 implementation; ERCOT's Agee Springer provided expected timelines for information release and workshop scheduling.
Discussion on RFI results for PUN issue; Fred Huang provided a status update.
