Acknowledgment and appreciation for efforts in maintaining system reliability during extreme weather conditions.
Since the implementation of weather emergency preparedness, there have been improvements in system reliability and a decrease in outages during severe weather.
Data analysis shows improvement in reliability, though some efficiencies are still needed.
Regular inspections of TSP and resource facilities have been conducted, with numbers exceeding required rates.
Significant focus on critical resources during peak demand times, highlighting the thin reserve margins, especially in the evenings when solar energy decreases.
Increased demand recorded year after year during winter; the importance of reliable resources like gas, coal, and nuclear during peak load times.
Positive trend in compliance levels, though some market participants still face challenges in responding promptly to inspection notices.
Requests for market participants to update their contact information and respond promptly to inspection notices.
Portal launched for declarations of weather preparedness, with first-year anniversary approaching in May 2025.
Encouragement for market participants to stay informed through various communication platforms, including social media and a mobile app.
Open invitation for questions during the presentation to facilitate clear communication and understanding.
▶️5 - Updating the ERCOT Outage Scheduler During Cold Weather Events
The presentation covered updates to the ERCOT outage scheduler, particularly during cold weather events.
The outage scheduler is a tool used by ERCOT to inform system operators of potential issues impacting system operation.
Timely communication of plant outages, transmission problems, and related issues is critical through the outage scheduler.
It is important to update the outage scheduler with accurate and detailed information, especially regarding the nature of work and reasons for outages.
Specific examples were shared illustrating the difference between vague and helpful outage report entries.
There are 35 categories for resources and 31 for TSPs in the software; changes to these are difficult due to software constraints.
Emphasizing the importance of detailed explanations in the notes and nature of work areas within the outage scheduler.
Slides from the presentation will be posted online with necessary corrections.
The importance of updating information within two hours after an outage ends was highlighted.
Announcement of recent webpage updates: ERCOT's webpage updates may break previous bookmarks due to rerouting. Webpages for summer and winter weather readiness have been moved under a new 'resiliency' category.
New webpage features: Introduction of inspection checklists and critical components lists. Checklists serve as a quick reference. Critical components lists are sample lists, not mandatory or exhaustive.
Submission reminders: Declaration submission window from May 1 to June 2 due to June 1 falling on a Sunday.
Portal guidance: The portal includes a user guide in the training section, and knowledge base articles that are updated for the next season. New resources have specific submission instructions.
Appendix A details: Compliance reminders for completing required fields, utilizing comments, and understanding the 'submit' function as a 'save' feature within Appendix A.
Problem resolution: If submission errors occur, ERCOT can cancel and reopen for revisions.
Resource declaration guidance: New resources ready for declaration can be submitted, even if commissioning isn’t fully completed.
Support options: Reminders to use WhatsApp for questions and responses are expected to be fast and thorough.
Submission confirmations: Users can confirm submissions through the portal themselves or request assistance for confirmation.
Audience Q&A session addressed concerns regarding attachment submissions and handling of unit-specific data, with guidance to reach out directly to ERCOT staff.
7 - Generation Resource Spotlight:
▶️7.1 - Summer Weatherization Preparedness Training
Highlighted continuous preparedness through short-term actions adding up over the year.
Emphasized reliability options and equipment preparedness for extreme and normal weather conditions.
Identified the importance of critical component inspection and weather health and safety precautions for personnel compliance.
Acknowledged cooperation on winter weather inspections and the positive feedback received.
Discussed preventive measures for maintaining transformer systems during hot weather, including fan operation and debris clearance.
Explained the need for clear radiators and sensors for cooling computerized equipment.
Outlined the importance of summer motorization inventory and having essential safety gear on site.
Detailed pre-summer checklist activities to be completed by mid-May, ensuring emergency contacts are updated and accurate.
Explained written event checklist for extreme weather advisories and the importance of communication within facilities.
Stressed the review of emergency response plans for personnel before the summer season.
Outlined the policy change requiring annual procedure review and attestation of training.
Feedback mechanism for presentations to ensure compliance and improvement.
8 - BREAK
9 - Industry Spotlight
▶️9.1 - Hot Temperatures while enduring Sustained Operations
Overview of PUC rule 25.55, specifically section f2b, requiring TSP entities to ensure facilities can operate under maximum ambient temperatures defined by ERCOT's weather model.
Entities must provide evidence their critical components have sustained operations at specified temperature levels or exceeded historical temperature maximums.
Identification of hot weather zones using ERCOT weather zones map to determine maximum temperature standards.
Clarification that facilities must meet or exceed historical maximum temperatures they're designed for.
Case study of Bandera Electric Co-op demonstrating compliance by documenting critical operations during high temperatures.
Information about adapting to ERCOT weather study results and forthcoming cold weatherization preparedness.
Providing outage logs for hot weather critical components as part of compliance.
Discussion on handling new stations without historical temperature data, needing to adhere to predefined ERCOT temperature standards.
Successful compliance of Bandera Electric Co-op's facilities with no findings from ERCOT inspections.
▶️10 - Generation Entity and Transmission Service Provider Summer Inspection Checklists
Inspection schedule for 2025: June 3 - September 30, avoiding major holidays unless necessary.
Checklist requirements for generation entities to be completed by June 1 and maintained throughout summer.
Inspection requirements for water supply management, legal rights to water, and storage facilities.
Verification of cooling capacity and derating due to water challenges with engineering evaluations.
Documentation for portable cooling equipment and its readiness for critical components during hot weather.
Maintenance and verification of functionality for hot weather critical components to be conducted monthly.
Focus on additional measures for entities experiencing higher temperatures than historical averages.
The need for a written and understandable staffing plan and annual review of personnel training.
Importance of maintaining a hot weather critical components list and documentation for inspection.
Communication on cure periods for deficiencies not resolved within 72 hours during inspections.
Best practices highlight effective documentation and communication for smoother inspection processes.
The summer forecast will be finalized and available on the ERCOT website by May.
Last year was the warmest year on record for Texas, surpassing previous records set in 2023.
Texas has experienced increasingly frequent hot summers during the positive phase of the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation (AMO).
Currently, Texas is experiencing a neutral El Nino/La Nina phase, with a possibility of returning to La Nina later in the year.
Preliminary thoughts indicate the 2025 summer could be hotter than the previous year, potentially rivaling 2011 and 2023 as one of the hottest summers on record.
Drought conditions appear worse this year compared to the same time last year, increasing the likelihood of a hot summer.
ERCOT's analogs suggest support for a hotter summer, with a probability of ranking in the top five hottest summers.
Rainfall is expected to be below normal this summer, with a significant chance of drought conditions persisting or worsening.
The Atlantic Ocean's temperature is slightly cooler compared to last year, but the Gulf of Mexico remains warm, suggesting potential hurricane activity.
The forecast for hurricane activity suggests a medium confidence in an above-average season, but likely less active than the previous year.
Wind forecasts indicate potential for strong winds in West Texas, South Texas, and the coast, particularly during the hottest part of the summer.
Overall, the ERCOT summer outlook calls for above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall, with the finalized report to be available in May.
▶️12 - Questions
A reminder was given that the historical weather study is updated every five years.
A concern was raised regarding the hot summer of 2023 and the potential for future hot summers.
Discussion on the importance of preparatory activities to ensure sufficient power generation during extreme weather conditions.
Commentary highlighted the potential benefits of increased wind during hot periods in helping with power generation.
Acknowledgement and appreciation expressed to those contributing to ERCOT's reliability during extreme weather.
Final comments concluded the summer weatherization workshop, with thanks expressed to participants and a reminder to continue safe practices.
