ERCOT Protocol Revision Subcommittee Meeting Notes - 2/8

Agenda

1.     Antitrust Admonition

2.     Approval of Minutes (Vote)

a.     January 11, 2024

3.     TAC Update

4.     Project Update

a.     ERCOT presentation posted and given.

b.     Review of Aging Projects

                                               i.     ERCOT presentation posted and given. The wanted feedback from stakeholders about which of these revisions are of the highest priority.

                                             ii.     The group discussed the possibility of re-arranging priorities, and groupings of projects, that would help some of these long-standing projects to progress. Grouping of projects can be helpful to optimize changes, but it also can create challenges.

                                            iii.     It was noted that this queue was mostly caught up until higher priority tasks, like RTC+b, that have cause re-arrangement of priorities due to resource constraints.

                                            iv.     Stakeholders mentioned that ERCOT might need to consider whether they can obtain additional resources to implement these changes faster. ERCOT noted that they are resource constrained and so they are trying to triage this list based on the resources level they have, but they are looking at whether these needs could potentially justify obtaining additional resources.

                                              v.     This topic will return next month and ERCOT will bring back additional information.

5.     Review PRS Reports, Impact Analyses, and Prioritization (Vote) (*) denotes no impact

a.     NPRR1210, Next Start Resource Test and Load-Carrying Test Frequency*

                                               i.     Recommended for approval on the combo ballot

b.     NPRR1213, Allow DGRs and DESRs on Circuits Subject to Load Shed to Provide ECRS

                                               i.     Commenters proposed pairing with NPRR1171 with this for implementation. If this implementation is considered a high priority for stakeholders and should be implemented before RTC+b, please share thoughts with Troy Anderson at ERCOT.

                                             ii.     Recommended for approval on the comb ballot

6.     Revision Requests Tabled at PRS (Possible Vote)

a.     NPRR956, Designation of Providers of Transmission Additions

b.     NPRR1070, Planning Criteria for GTC Exit Solutions

c.     NPRR1162, Single Agent Designation for a QSE and its Sub-QSEs for Voice Communications over the ERCOT WAN

d.     NPRR1180, Inclusion of Forecasted Load in Planning Analyses

                                               i.     PRS leadership asked the group if there are comments.

                                             ii.     Oncor, the sponsor, commented that they are engaged in discussions with ERCOT. They asked that this stay remain tabled until future comments are filed.

e.     NPRR1188, Implement Nodal Dispatch and Energy Settlement for Controllable Load Resources

f.      NPRR1190, High Dispatch Limit Override Provision for Increased NOIE Load Costs

g.     NPRR1191, Registration, Interconnection, and Operation of Customers with Large Loads; Information Required of Customers with Loads 25 MW or Greater

h.     NPRR1197, Energy Storage Resource (ESR) Non-Charging Load(s) Optional Exclusion from EPS Netting Arrangement

                                               i.     ERCOT summarized the metering changes that are being made in this revision which allow a dedicated meter and requires agreement between the entity and the TDSP.

                                             ii.     Oncor filed comments that refute the caveats around the metering arrangements that were proposed. They also describe that agreement.

                                            iii.     There was a quick desktop edit to clarify a reference.

                                            iv.     Recommended for approval with the Oncor 2/7/24 comments via separate ballot

i.      NPRR1198, Congestion Mitigation Using Topology Reconfigurations

j.      NPRR1199, Implementation of Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act (LSIPA) Requirements

                                               i.     ERCOT addressed their latest two sets of comments, which were filed on 2/1/24 and 2/7/24. They have clarified that components that can be disabled and turned off are removed from the definitions. They clarified that software is included in the ‘CEGS Services’ definition. They added clarity to the definition of LSIPA Affiliate, and removed LSIPA Affiliate from the Form Q attestation. They also adjusted the time lines for reporting previous purchases.

                                             ii.     LCRA filed comments regarding contractual obligations to vendors, to which a desktop edit was proposed. ERCOT is fine with these changes.

                                            iii.     ERCOT requested urgency and approval. Urgency today gets this to TAC next week.

                                            iv.     Ipones, laptops, etc. only fall under these definitions if they are used to access or control ERCOT system infrastructure, the WAN or MIS. Commenters asked about laptops with chips made in China, and whether they laptops with MIS on them fall within the reporting bucket. The group discussed whether this would give possible LISPA control, and how the components of the definition work together. Stakeholders questioned the real ability to KNOW whether China can access ERCOT through that computer. ERCOT responded that this is going to have to be added as a consideration to our vendor and procurement decisions. The Legislature has required this attestation, and the stakeholders asserted that this requires folks to attest to something that they can’t prove. Other commenters noted that the other criteria in the definition, such as the ability to impact the grid within 15 minutes, limits the volume of items that would be responsive and necessitate reporting.

                                              v.     Granted urgency and recommend for approval as amended by the 2/7/24 LCRA comment as revised by PRS via individual ballot

k.     NPRR1200, Utilization of Calculated Values for Non-WSL for ESRs

l.      NPRR1202, Refundable Deposits for Large Load Interconnection Studies

m.   NPRR1205, Revisions to Credit Qualification Requirements of Banks and Insurance Companies

                                               i.     Recommended for approval on the combo ballot

n.     NPRR1209, Board Priority – State of Charge Ancillary Service Failed Quantity Allocations under NPRR1149 – URGENT

o.     NPRR1212, Clarification of Distribution Service Provider’s Obligation to Provide an ESI ID

                                               i.     Stakeholders are still working on comments; this will return in March.

p.     NPRR1214, Reliability Deployment Price Adder Fix to Provide Locational Price Signals, Reduce Uplift and Risk

q.     SCR826, ERCOT.com Enhancements

r.      SCR827, Grid Conditions Graph Addition for Operating Reserve Demand Curve (ORDC) Level

7.     Review of Revision Request Language (Vote)

a.     NPRR1215, Clarifications to the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) Energy-Only Offer Calculation

                                               i.     ERCOT introduced this revision that they’ve sponsored to clarify language for energy-only offers in the DAM.

                                             ii.     They discussed that it might be a good idea for CFSG to review how the average calculation functions.

                                            iii.     ERCOT noted that, right now, there is no cost associated with this revision, but changes to it could result in a cost.

                                            iv.     Tabled on the combo ballot and referred to CFSG

b.     NPRR1216, Implementation of Emergency Pricing Program

                                               i.     ERCOT summarized these proposed changes, which track to the Commission-approved Emergency Pricing Program and its associated rules.

                                             ii.     The group discussed the way that costs for fuel will be incorporated in the LCAP and the way the VOLL is being used, including the difference between the Commission-approved interim VOLL which is to be used for the Reliability Standard Study, but not for this purpose.

                                            iii.     Tabled on the combo ballot and referred WMS

Combo Ballot

      Ballot passed

8.     Other Business

a.     2024 PRS Goals

Adjourn