ERCOT Reliability and Operations Subcommittee Meeting Notes - 11/2

Agenda

1.     Antitrust Admonition

2.     Agenda Review

3.     Approval of ROS Meeting Minutes (Possible Vote)

a.     September 7, 2023

b.     September 14, 2023

c.     October 5, 2023

4.     Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Update

a.     ROS leadership provided a brief synopsis. TAC approved both revisions sent by ROS: PGRR110 (steady sate modeling) and NOGRR257 (removal of redundant ERS reporting). They also approved NPRR1172 (MOC and RUC clawback).

b.     There was a special meeting about the annual structural review. ROS leadership participated. All ROS groups remain relevant and the overall structural review was approved at the regular meeting.

c.     They tabled NPRR1203 (DRRS) to allow for PUC policy discussion about whether this should be a subset of non-spin or become a stand-alone product.

d.     ROS leadership presented on ECRS issues related to the initial deployments. TAC agreed that this item can be closed at ROS.

5.     ERCOT Reports

a.     Operations Report  

                                               i.     A question was asked about the ERS deployments, and ERCOT agreed to provide information in future Ops reports.

                                             ii.     The unofficial ERCOT peak demand was 84,346 MW for the month of September on 9/08/2023 HE 17:00; this was 13,271 MW more than the previous September record of 71,075 MW set on 09/20/2022 HE 17:00, and 1,118 MW less than the previous all-time record of 85,464 MW set on 8/10/2023 HE 18:00.

                                            iii.     There were 3 frequency events.

                                            iv.     1 Energy Emergency Alert Level 2 (Load Resources were deployed)

                                              v.     There were 2 Watch's due to projected reserve capacity shortage with no market solution.

                                            vi.     There were 2 Transmission Watch's due to post-contingency overload South of San Antonio.

                                           vii.     There was 1 Advisory due to PRC falling below 3000 MW's. (ERS Deployed)

                                         viii.     There was 1 instance where Distribution voltage reduction was requested.

                                            ix.     There was 1 Advisory due to Geomagnetic Disturbance K-7 of higher.

                                              x.     There were 2 Media Appeal's through public news media.

                                            xi.     There were 7 instances where ERCOT Contingency Reserve Service was released.

                                           xii.     3 OCN's due to ERCOT modifying the PNHNDL Generic Transmission Constraint due to the current transmission outage topology

                                          xiii.     There were 17 HRUC commitments.

                                          xiv.     There were 25 days congestion on the North Edinburg to Lobo GTC, 9 days on the Valley Export GTC, 8 days on the West Texas Export GTC, 7 days on the Nelson Sharpe to Rio Hondo GTC, 4 days on the North to Houston GTC, 4 days on the Panhandle GTC, 3 days on the East Texas GTC, 1 day on the Williamson to Burnet GTC, and 1 day on the McCamey GTC. There was no activity on the remaining GTCs during the month.

b.     System Planning Report  

                                               i.     ERCOT is currently reviewing proposed transmission improvements with a total estimated cost of $1.410 billion as of September 30, 2023.

                                             ii.     Transmission Projects endorsed in 2023 total $1.838 billion as of September 30, 2023.

                                            iii.     All projects (in engineering, routing, licensing, and construction) total approximately $12.469 billion as of May 12, 2023.

                                            iv.     Transmission Projects energized in 2023 total approximately $442 million (as of May 12, 2023).

c.     Generic Transmission Constraint (GTC) Update

                                               i.     ERCOT presentation posted and given.

                                             ii.     ERCOT introduced a new GTC – the Kinney GTC. This is a 138kV area, and is not an IROL. The GTC became effective on November 1^st.

                                            iii.     Question was asked about whether the new Brackettville to Escondido line going into service will make the GTC disappear. ERCOT will have to examine that issue and follow-up.

                                            iv.     APA brought up issues mentioned at the PUC weatherization workshop about generators not complying with the requirement to provide a TSAT model. They stated that most models have been provided, despite that fact that the Resource community sees these targets as changing over time. The Resource owners want TSAT because it will help flows around the GTC’s. They opined on the difficulty that applying requirements retroactively presents for existing resources, saying that OEM’s and ERCOT share frustration. They suggested that the requirements need to be written down. They requested a task force or to add this to the IBRTWG agenda. ERCOT responded that most of the vendors have provided models for TSAT, only about 10% of Resources have not. They have been communicating which models are have not been received, but in some cases have not gotten any response. ROS leadership will work with IBRWG to get this on one of their upcoming agendas.

d.     Grid Forming IBR technology

                                               i.     ERCOT added this to the agenda.

                                             ii.     ERCOT has been looking at the possible use of grid forming technology. They think there is a possible positive application of this in ERCOT. They are seeking a consultant to perform an analysis. They encouraged resources that are in GTC areas, to consider grid-forming technology, to begin discussions with ERCOT and the relevant TSP’s. They are interested in a few test projects and will provide an update at IBRWG.

e.     Proposed Changes to Ancillary Service Methodology for 2024 (Vote)

                                               i.     ERCOT presentation posted and given. This is a revised version of what was presented at WMS.

                                             ii.     Endorsed via separate ballot

6.     New Protocol Revision Subcommittee (PRS) Referrals (Vote)

a.     NPRR1198, Congestion Mitigation Using Topology Reconfigurations

                                               i.     The sponsor, EDF Renewables, introduced this revision. WMS has referred this to CMWG and OWG.

                                             ii.     Stakeholders raised the issue that was discussed yesterday at WMS about keeping discussions at working groups targeted to this issue so that every group doesn’t discuss every issue.

                                            iii.     Re-Tabled on the combo ballot and referred to OWG and NDSWG

7.     Network Data Support Working Group (NDSWG)

a.     Verbal update provided by NDSWG leadership. ERCOT will be scheduling a meeting to discuss NPRR1198, likely in December.

b.     NOGRR258, Related to NPRR1198, Congestion Mitigation Using Topology Reconfigurations (OWG) (NDSWG) (Possible Vote)

8.     Operations Working Group (OWG)

a.     Presentation posted and given by PWG leadership.

b.     There was a solar generation record set on September 1^st of 21.89% of online generation, or 13,737 MW.

c.     NPRR1070, Planning Criteria for GTC Exit Solutions (OWG/PLWG) (Possible Vote)

                                               i.     This remains tabled to allow for the development of the CCS economic planning test.

9.     Revision Requests Tabled at ROS (Possible Vote)

a.     These remain tabled, and the ones pertaining to large loads are being discussed at the LFLTF.

b.     PGRR073, Related to NPRR956, Designation of Providers of Transmission Additions

c.     PGRR111, Related to NPRR1191, Registration, Interconnection, and Operation of Customers with Large Loads; Information Required of Customers with Loads 25 MW or Greater

d.     RRGRR036, Related to NPRR1191, Registration, Interconnection, and Operation of Customers with Large Loads; Information Required of Customers with Loads 25 MW or Greater

e.     NOGRR256, Related to NPRR1191, Registration, Interconnection, and Operation of Customers with Large Loads; Information Required of Customers with Loads 25 MW or Greater

Break

10.  Inverter Based Resources Working Group (IBRWG)

a.     NOGRR255, High Resolution Data Requirements (DWG) (IBRWG) (SPWG) (Possible Vote)

                                               i.     ERCOT provided a brief update on what they need to guide their requirements, and they continue working on this.

                                             ii.     Multiple stakeholders stated that they are working on comments that they will post.

11.  Planning Working Group (PLWG)

a.     Presentation posted and given by PLWG leadership.

b.     NPRR1180, Inclusion of Forecasted Load in Planning Analyses (PLWG) (Possible Vote)

                                               i.     AEP Texas moved to endorse NPRR1180 with AEP Texas and ETT comments and approve PGRR107 with Oncor’s comments. The motion was seconded quickly by National Grid. The motion was because this revision has been tabled for a lengthy period of time. However, ERCOT requested that this remains tabled.

                                             ii.     A stakeholder asked ERCOT to explain their concerns. ERCOT responded that they are working with their legal department to ensure that they establish the right process for RPG projects that are supported by forecasted load without a signed interconnection agreement and what the endorsement will look like for those projects. They think this is more than a procedural issue and will need more discussion.

                                            iii.     Endorsed via separate ballot

                                            iv.     The group discussed how PRS will proceed with this revision since PRS now holds the NPRR, but ROS still holds the PGRR. PRS leadership indicated that NPRR1180 is likely to be tabled, depending on any comments or discussion. ERCOT indicated that they would like any comments they file to be discussed at PLWG. ROS leadership gave an informal recommendation to PLWG.

c.     PGRR107, Related to NPRR1180, Inclusion of Forecasted Load in Planning Analyses (PLWG) (Possible Vote)

                                               i.     This language was approved at PLWG, incorporating Oncor’s latest comments.

                                             ii.     Remains tabled at ROS

d.     PGRR109, Dynamic Model Review Process Improvement for Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Modification (PLWG) (IBRWG) (Possible Vote)

                                               i.     Joints comments were filed by several resource owners. They discussed the possibility for additional lengthy review period, lack of definitions or threshold that would indicate need for pre-approval or allow for an after-the-fact update. They expressed concerns about pairing the model updates from vendors due to the uncertainty in requirements and increase in volume of needed updated models.

                                             ii.     ERCOT indicated that they are digesting the Joint Comments and are working on comments in response. They spoke to the requirements that they have proposed within the planning guides and their need to receive setting changes prior to field changes.

                                            iii.     This will be discussed further at the next PLWG meeting.

12.  Dynamics Working Group (DWG)

a.     Presentation posted and given by DWG leadership.

b.     DWG Leadership (Vote)

                                               i.     Vice Chair:  Fahad Qureshi, CenterPoint Energy

                                             ii.     Approved

c.     PGRR112, Dynamic Data Model and Full Interconnection Study (FIS) Deadline for Quarterly Stability Assessment (PLWG) (DWG) (Possible Vote)

                                               i.     LCRA submitted comments regarding the timeline for preliminary results to be submitted in RIOO.

                                             ii.     Changing the 30-day to a 45-day timeline has been discussed at PLWG, and, as discussed above, PLWG indicated that this will be discussed at the next meeting.

13.  Steady State Working Group (SSWG)

a.     Presentation posted and given by SSWG leadership.

b.     SSWG Leadership (Vote)

                                               i.     Chair:  William Robertson, CPS Energy

                                             ii.     Vice Chair:  Zach Walker, Oncor

                                            iii.     Approved

c.     PGRR106, Clarify Projects Included in Transmission Project Information and Tracking (TPIT) Report (SSWG) (Possible Vote)

                                               i.     SSWG has posted comments on their consensus. They have been waiting for comments that ERCOT has indicated they will file. ERCOT re-iterated that they will file comments, but could not give a timeline. They want to have an informal discussion of their draft comments at SSWG before they file them for discussion at ROS.

                                             ii.     A motion to approve PGRR106 was made, but not seconded.

14.  Black Start Working Group (BSWG)

a.     BSWG Leadership (Vote)

                                               i.     Chair:  Michael Dieringer, LCRA

                                             ii.     Approved

15.  Combo ballot (Vote)

a.     Ballot passed

16.  Performance Disturbance Compliance Working Group (PDCWG)

a.     Presentation posted and given by PDCWG leadership.

17.  Other Business

a.     2024 ERCOT Membership/Segment Representative Elections

                                               i.     Applications and fees are due. Please get them in before voting starts.

b.     Review Open Action Items List

                                               i.     Open Action Item comments are here. ROS leadership is trying to remove old action items and keep the list current.

c.     No Report

                                               i.     Black Start Working Group (BSWG)

                                             ii.     Operations Training Working Group (OTWG)

                                            iii.     System Protection Working Group (SPWG)

                                            iv.     Voltage Profile Working Group (VPWG)

18.  Adjourn