Meeting Summary - 07/16/24 RPG Meeting

1 - Antitrust Admonition - Robert Golen

2 - Miscellaneous Updates - Robert Golen

3 - Eastside 345/138-kV Switching Station Project - Robert Golen

• Robert Golen presented the status update on CPS Eastside 345/138-kV switching station project.
• CPS submitted the project in February 2024 as a tier one project with an estimated cost of $158 million, targeted for service by June 2028.
• The project aims to address thermal overloads on 345/138-kV transformers and transmission lines.
• ERCOT and CPS collaborated on optimal sizing and location of capacitor banks in the San Antonio area.
• 13 capacitors are planned, mostly in the 50 MVAR block size range.
• Avoided double counting of transmission upgrades from the San Antonio south reliability two project.
• Options discussed: Option 1 (CPS proposed), Option 1A (modified), Option 2, and Option 3.
• No thermal or voltage violations were identified under various conditions.
• Option 1A, estimated at $47 million, is the preferred and least-cost option.
• Options 2 and 3 were deemed infeasible due to physical space limitations.
• ERCOT plans to reclassify the project as a tier three project but has completed tier one evaluations.
• Sensitivity analysis on generation addition and load scaling showed no material impact.
• No significant congestion due to this project in the study area.
• ERCOT recommends Option 1A and will post the EIR to the WMS.
• No questions were raised at the end of the presentation.

4 - Omicron Reliability Project - Sarah Gunasekera

• Introduction by Sarah from ERCOT on the CPS Omicron reliability project.
• Project submitted by CPS to RPG in February; estimated completion by June 2027; cost about $42.5 million.
• Project addresses thermal and voltage violations at Omicron 138 kV substation.
• Thermal violations identified on Cagnon to Anderson and Howard to Von Rose lines; voltage violations under n-1, p-3, p-6 conditions.
• Option 1: CPS proposed five-mile extension from Omicron to Cagnon to Howard 138 kV line; additional 14.3 miles Tally Road to Ranch Town line.
• Modified Option 1a and 1b: adjusts for duplication issues and includes upgrades.
• Option 2: Rebuild Casterville to Rafter 138 kV line.
• Option 3: Rebuild and add line from Castroville to Lytle.
• Option 4: Convert Castroville 138 kV substation to 345/138 kV.
• No thermal violations found in assessment, but voltage violations led to addition of 13 capacitors.
• Cost estimates include capacitor banks; options 1 and 1b preferred for higher load capabilities.
• Maintenance outage scenario led to three shortlisted options: 1, 1b, and 4.
• Option 1b chosen as preferred: lowest cost, best long-term load capabilities, least mileage of CCN.
• Economic benefit identified in upgrading Omicron to Rafter line, included in final recommendation.
• Projected cost of option 1b: $44.3 million; includes 13 capacitors; omits certain economic upgrades.
• No further questions in queue; meeting concluded.

5 - Temple Area Project - Tanzila Ahmed

• Oncor Temple area project submitted in January 2024 for RPG review.
• Tier one project costing $120.7 million, scheduled for service by May 2026.
• Addresses thermal violations in Temple area, Bell County due to load growth.

Violations Reported

• Thermal violations at multiple 138 kV lines and transformers in Temple, Nolanville, Belton, and Killeen areas.
• Voltage violations in Killeen area.

Shortlisted Options

• Option 4A: Adding second transformers, new substations, and upgrading lines – cost $257.6 million, ISD December 2028.
• Option 5A: Similar to 4A with additional components – cost $272.6 million, ISD December 2028.
• Option 7A: Highest cost, additional new lines – cost $329.3 million, deemed infeasible.

Preferred Option: Option 5A

Rationale

• Addresses project needs without reliability violations.
• Least cost option with minimal CCN mileages.

Sensitivity Analysis

• Load scaling and generation sensitivity analysis showed no material impact.
• Congestion analysis found no new congestion.

Next Steps

• Post EIR report by end of month.

• Recommend project to TAC in July 2024, R&M in August, seek Board approval in August.

Q&A Discussion

Participant: Brian Heathersafe from Brazos Electric

• Questioned the necessity of a new switching station when existing one could be reconfigured.
• Response: Existing station deemed inadequate for new connections, further discussion to be taken offline.

7 - Brownsville Area Improvements - Caleb Holland

Project Details:

• Name: Brownsville Area Improvements transmission project
• Submission Date: March 2024
• Tier: Tier One
• Estimated Cost: $388 million 
• Estimated In-Service Date: May 2027
• Issues Addressed: Thermal overloads, Voltage violations
• Current Status: Under ERCOT independent review

Preliminary Results:

Voltage Violations: 1

Thermal Overloads:

• P7: 4
• P6: 1
• P3: 1
• P1: 14

Project Options:

1. Description: Alternative provided by AEP
   • 138 kV single circuit transmission lines
   • 238 kV bus ties at military highway
   • 345/138 kV auto transformers at Palmito
   • Install 300 MVAR Statcom at Chalybe
     
2. Description: Preferred option proposed by AEP
   • 345/138 kV auto transformers at Chalybe
   • 22-mile 345 kV double circuit transmission line from Chalybe to Kingfisher
   • 2-mile 345 kV double circuit transmission line from Chalybe to Palmito
   • 2-mile 138 kV single circuit transmission line from Chalybe to Stillman
   • 300 MVAR Statcom at Pompano substation
   • 22-mile 138 kV double circuit transmission line from La Palmo to Stillman
3. Description: Alternative provided by AEP
   • 345/138 kV auto transformers at Chalybe
   • 22-mile 345 kV double circuit transmission line from Chalybe to Kingfisher
   • 300 MVAR Statcom at Chalybe
   • 138 kV single circuit transmission lines
4. Description: ERCOT Alternative
   • 345/138 kV three winding auto transformers at Palmito
   • 29.8-mile 345 kV double circuit transmission line from Palmito to Rio Hondo
   • 2-mile 138 kV single circuit transmission line from Chalybe to Palmito
   • 0.4-mile 138 kV single circuit transmission line from Palmito to Stillman
   • 300 MVAR Statcom at Chalybe
5. Description: ERCOT Alternative
   • Similar To Option: 4
   • Difference: 39-mile 345 kV double circuit transmission line to Palmito from Bonilla
6. Description: ERCOT Alternative
   • 345/138 kV auto transformers at military highway
   • 345/138 kV three winding auto transformer at Palmito
   • 345 kV substation on the 345 kV double circuit transmission line from north Edinburgh to Kingfisher named Landrum
   • 16-mile 345 kV double circuit transmission line from Landrum to military highway
   • 2-mile 138 kV single circuit transmission line from Chalybe to Palmito
   • 1-mile 138 kV single circuit transmission line from Chalybe to Stillman
   • Replace 238 kV bus ties at military highway
   • 300 MVAR Statcom at Chalybe
   • 138 kV single circuit transmission lines

Shortlisted Options:

• 2, 4, 5, 6
  

Next Steps:

• Continue to evaluate options
• Provide status updates at future RPG meetings
• Perform maintenance outage analysis
• Conduct congestion analysis
• Perform generation and load scaling sensitivity analyses
• Conduct subsynchronous resonance assessment
• Cost estimates and feasibility assessments from transmission service providers
• Final recommendation by Q3 of this year

8 - Permian Basin Reliability Plan Study - Ying Li

• Presentation on the Permian Basin Reliability Plan by Ying Li.
• Study required by Texas House Bill 5066, with PUCT directing ERCOT to develop a plan addressing transmission service and capacity.
• Timeline: ERCOT will file final reliability plan to the commission in July, followed by stakeholder feedback and commission approval.
• Ongoing status updates have been presented since January, with a workshop hosted on June 28.
• Local transmission upgrades and 345-kV import paths for 2030 and 2038 were discussed.
• Maps and descriptions of local projects provided, majority needed by 2030.
• EHV import path options for 2038, including 500 kV and 765 kV options, were detailed.
• Dynamic stability studies indicate no stability issues for 2038 with either 345-kV or 765-kV options.
• Cost estimates discussed, with 345-kV being the least expensive at around $13 billion compared to 500 kV ($15.3 billion) and 765 kV ($13.8 billion).
• Comparison of the options with 765-kV deemed the best in terms of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and operational flexibility.
• Stakeholder Questions addressed various aspects including transformer inclusion at Hamilton, perceived inconsistencies in load growth projections, choice of specific substations, and transfer capability analyses.
• Implementation and prioritization of projects depend on PUCT approvals and identified needs.
• Final report to be filed by July 25th; continuous feedback from TSPs and stakeholders appreciated.

9 - 2024 Regional Transmission Plan - Nelson Avila

• Nelson Avila presented the 2024 Regional Transmission Plan, focusing on stability interface limits in the Valley region in South Texas.
• Discussed static and hourly profile limits for various regions, particularly for 2026 and 2029.
• Highlighted the following GTC limits for 2026 and 2029:
• Nelson Sharpe Torio Hondo (932 MW, no limit)
• North Edinburgh to Lowball (1319 MW, no limit)
• Valley Export (563 MW, no limit)
• Valley Import (1598 MW, no limit)
• Mentioned the use of the GQC methodology for the first three limits as posted on the MIS.
• Discussed non-Valley areas, including North Houston (3712 MW), McAmee Area (3009 MW), West Texas Export (10,404 MW), and Panhandle Region (3239 MW) for both 2026 and 2029.
• Emphasized non-static hourly profiles and the method to obtain them using historical data and voltage stability analysis software.
• Questions addressed about the basis for assumed GTC limits in 2029 due to the Lower Rio Grande Valley project.
• Clarification provided on the West Texas project limits and their relation to economic analysis reports.
• Explained the reasoning behind excluding thermal-based GTCs like South Texas in the study but mentioned ongoing internal discussions about their future inclusion.
• No final decisions or actions were concluded; Nelson provided his email for further inquiries.

10 - Adjourn - Robert Golen