ROS Meeting 08/01/24

1 – Antitrust Admonition – Katie Rich

2 – Agenda Review – Katie Rich

3 – Approval of ROS Meeting Minutes – Possible Vote – Katie Rich

3.1 – July 11, 2024

• Confirmation to add meeting minutes to the combo ballot.

4 – Technical Advisory Committee – TAC – Update – Katie Rich

• NPRR1230 approved: sets transmission shadow price caps for IROL, effective October 1 with 30-day market notice period starting October 2.
• Discussion on NOGRR245: ongoing work between ERCOT and joint commenters on exemption process bifurcation, will move to subsequent NOGRR with board priority.
• Expect updates at August R&M committee and Board meeting.

5 – ERCOT Reports

5.1 – Operations Report (June) – Alex Lee

• Peak demand of 79,698 MW on June 30, about 1128 MW less than the previous year’s June peak.
• Wind generation record of 27,881 MW on June 17.
• Solar generation record of 19,395 MW on June 22.
• Four frequency events in June related to unit trips.
• No ECRS or RRS deployments.
• Three DC tie curtailments.
• 15 HRUC commitments related to capacity and constraints.

5.2 – System Planning Report – Ping Yan (55718) (HB5066)

• Permian Basin reliability plan study report posted on ERCOT website.
• Updated 2024 long term load forecast posted on ERCOT website.
• Prabhu Gnanam and Jeff Billo are available for questions on these topics.
• PUC staff issued questions on the Permian Basin study; comments due August 9, workshop on August 22.
• Ken Donohoo inquired about public access to posted cases; Prabhu mentioned TSPs have access, broader access under discussion.

5.3 – Generic Transmission Constraint – GTC – Update – Sun Wook Kang

• GTC Update
• Four GTCs to manage thermal-related cascading issues on the Calaveras-Pawnee 345 kV lines.
• These GTCs have been effective since March 2024.
• ERCOT conducted a study indicating that full transmission upgrade would help manage the GTCs.
• Four transmission projects are identified to help exit the South Texas GTCs:
  • San Antonio Reliability 1 Project
  • LRGV Ground Value Transmission Improvement Projects
  • San Antonio Reliability 2 Projects
  • Expected service dates: 2027 and 2029.
• A remaining line and existing Tango-Goddard-Katenn-Lon Hill upgrades were also needed; this project was identified in the 2023 RTP.
• San Antonio Reliability 1 and 2 Projects and the LRGV projects will create new 345 kV paths to improve infrastructure.
• The fourth project involves rebuilding the existing 345 kV line from Tango to Lon Hill
• All projects aim to improve import and export GTC capabilities.
• No further updates expected; access certificates posted on the MIS website.
• Remaining projects under development by TSP’s, and RPG submission expected from TSP.

6 – ROS Revision Requests – Vote – Katie Rich

6.1 Impact Analysis

6.2 – NOGRR262, Provisions for Operator-Controlled Manual Load Shed

• No project required.
• NOGRR262 added to the combo ballot

6.4 – NOGRR266, Related to NPRR1239, Access to Market Information

• NOGRR266 was decided to table for later discussion or consideration.
• NOGRR266 added to the combo ballot.

6.5 – NOGRR267, Related to NPRR1240, Access to Transmission Planning Information

• NOGRR267 added to the combo ballot.

6.6 – PGRR116, Related to NPRR1240, Access to Transmission Planning Information

• PGRR116 added to the combo ballot.

6.7 – PGRR117, Addition of Resiliency Assessment and Criteria to Reflect PUCT Rule Changes

• The PUCT rule requires ERCOT to conduct a biannual assessment for power grid reliability and resiliency in extreme weather.
• ERCOT can recommend transmission projects to address resiliency issues identified in the assessment.
• Introduction of the acronym GRRA: Grid Reliability and Resiliency Assessment.
• Section 3.1.1.6 added to identify what pertains to the GRRA.
• Assessment to be conducted biennially in even-numbered years, focusing on thermal and renewable generation availability.
• Identification of areas in the ERCOT region with significant reliability and resiliency issues due to extreme weather.
• Recommendation of transmission upgrades based on the assessment to improve reliability and resiliency.
• Definition of extreme weather scenarios including patterns of generation, extreme peak loads, and multiple outages.
• Evaluation of contingencies P0, P1, P2, and P7 of the NERC reliability standard TPL-001.
• Modifications to section 4.1 section 1 for introduction and addition of resiliency criteria.
• Resiliency criteria include transmission upgrades to prevent instability, uncontrolled islanding, and reduce load shedding impacts.
• Motion to table PGRR117 and refer the issue to PLWG added to the combo ballot.

7 – NPRR1239, Access to Market Information – Possible Vote – Katie Rich

• NPRR1239 added to the combo ballot.

8 – NPRR1240, Access to Transmission Planning Information – Possible Vote – Katie Rich

• NPRR1240 added to the combo ballot.

9 – New Protocol Revision Subcommittee – PRS – Referrals – Vote – Katie Rich

9.1 – NPRR1238, Voluntary Registration of Loads with Curtailable Load Capabilities – Possible Vote

• NPRR1238 added to the combo ballot.

10 – Revision Requests Tabled at PRS and Referred to ROS – Possible Vote – Katie Rich

10.1 – NPRR1229, Real-Time Constraint Management Plan Energy Payment

• NPRR1229 remains tabled.

10.2 – NPRR1234, Interconnection Requirements for Large Loads and Modeling Standards for Loads 25 MW or Greater – NDSWG

• Request for confirmation from NDSWG leadership to include NPRR1234 in their next meeting agenda.
• A note will be sent to NDSWG leadership for confirmation to ensure it is not overlooked.

11 – Revision Requests Tabled at ROS – Possible Vote – Katie Rich

11.1 – PGRR073, Related to NPRR956, Designation of Providers of Transmission Additions

• PGRR073 remains tabled.

12 – Operations Working Group – OWG – Tyler Springer

• OWG Update
• Public comment for BAL-001-TRE started on 7-15 and lasts for 30 days.
• NERC standard review form session scheduled for July 25, 9-11 AM; materials available on NERC website.
• Cyber and physical security workshop on July 28 at Texas RE; agenda on TRE website.
• Industry workshop for missed operation reduction announced for October 1-2 in Salt Lake City at WECC offices; sign up on NERC website.

12.1 – NPRR1070, Planning Criteria for GTC Exit Solutions – OWG, PLWG – Possible Vote

• NPRR1070 remains tabled at OWG pending a timeline from ERCOT.

12.2 – NOGRR265, Related to NPRR1238, Voluntary Registration of Loads with Curtailable Load Capabilities – Possible Vote

• Bill Blevins from ERCOT discussed telemetry registration for transmission versus distribution loads.
• VDI with NPRR1217 should transition to XML.
• Concerns raised about distribution load qualifying and potential issues with UFLS for large customers.
• ERCOT suggests set point should be 3000 to avoid hitting the EEA1 limit at 2500.
• VECL to be deducted from TOs native load for summer and winter percentages.
• Discussion on VECL entering an agreement with just the QSE.
• Group believes the TO should also be part of the agreement if it impacts the customer’s equipment.
• Bill proposed adding TSP sign-off on the existing ERCOT form for simplicity.
• Initial suggestion for table updates four times per year, adjusted to two times per year for winter and summer updates.
• Reminder about hit list submission deadline and review at August OWG meeting.
• OTWG update on severe weather drill; market notification already sent; no CEHs provided.
• Single point of contact for Blackstart training to be sent by August 15; training weeks: October 14 – November 21; market notice in September; no pilot session planned; prerequisite portion through ERCOT LMS.
• ERCOT operations training seminar for 2025 to include additional topics related to QSEs; seeking speakers from market participants; no EEA or emergency training simulations; seminars scheduled for April to March next year.
• NOGRR265 and NPRR1238 to be discussed together at this month’s meeting; potential comments from Oncor and ERCOT anticipated.

13 – Planning Working Group – PLWG – Dylan Preas

13.1 – PGRR107, Related to NPRR1180, Inclusion of Forecasted Load in Planning Analyses – PLWG – Possible Vote

• PLWG Update
• PLWG discussed PGRR107 and NPRR1180 regarding the inclusion of forecasted load in planning analysis in the July 16th meeting..
• Extensive discussion on substantiated load definition.
• Questions and discussions about double load counting, transparency, and reporting requirements and the impact on the CDR report..
• PLWG tabled this item for another month to further develop it.
• Expectation to finalize at the next PLWG meeting and return it to ROS in September.

13.2 – PGRR115, Related to NPRR1234, Interconnection Requirements for Large Loads and Modeling Standards for Loads 25 MW or Greater – Possible Vote

• Lengthy discussion included submission of future large load information to ERCOT.
• Importance of including large loads in the QSA and keeping large load commissioning plans up to date.
• ERCOT Steel Mills submitted comments on July 3, which were discussed at PLWG.
• Concerns were raised about remote control disconnect requirements for existing large loads.
• PLWG tabled this discussion for future meetings.
• NERC Topics Roundtable agenda item was bumped due to lengthy PLWG meeting.
• Mina Turner from AEP is on the drafting team for NERC CIP-014-4 revisions, planned for future discussion at PLWG meeting.
• Review of NERC TPL-008-1, a new transmission planning performance standard for extreme weather.
• Tracking open action items including congestion costs and implementation of NPRR1070.
• Next PLWG meeting scheduled for August 13, following the RPG meeting.
• Confirmation that PGRR117 will be on the August 13 agenda.

14 – Performance, Disturbance, Compliance Working Group – PDCWG – Chad Mulholland

• Chad Mulholland presented an update on behalf of Kevin Bunch and the PDC.
• A first look at the 2025 ancillary service methodology was discussed.
• Changes to the methodology affect only Reg-Up and Reg-Down allocations.
• Other ancillary services are only changing in their allocation amounts, not in methodology.
• Small decreases in Reg-Up and Reg-Down allocations are expected for 2025.
• Responsive Reserve allocations are projected to remain flat.
• Small increases in ECRS and Non-Spin allocations are anticipated.
• Details and additional analysis will be shared with other stakeholder forums soon.

14.1 – NOGRR263, Clarification of Controllable Load Resource Primary Frequency Response Responsibilities – PDCWG – Possible Vote)

• NOGRR263 was referred to the PDC at the last month’s ROS.
• PDC’s discussion was generally supportive of NOGRR263.
• Concern about potential negative impact on ERCOT PFR due to NOGRR263.
• There is no quantifiable impact or definitive reliability risk identified.
• The item was referred back to ROS for further discussion based on supportive feedback.
• Motion to recommend approval of NOGRR263 as amended by the 7/22/24 Priority Power comments added to the combo ballot.

14.2 – NOGRR264, Related to NPRR1235, Dispatchable Reliability Reserve Service as a Stand-Alone Ancillary Service – Possible Vote

• Gennerally supportive of NOGRR264
• Motion to recommend approval of NOGRR264 as submitted added to mini combo ballot

14.3 – NPRR1235, Dispatchable Reliability Reserve Service as a Stand-Alone Ancillary Service – Possible Vote

• NPRR1235 related to DRRs: supportive conversation, no major issues or concerns raised.
• Discussion on including ESRs in DRRs: general interest from ERCOT to continue the conversation, suggestion for a separate workshop.
• Frequency control metrics and reg reports: nothing unusual noted, presentations available in backup slides.
• Texas TRE report: SAR for BAL-001-TRE open for comment, volunteer request for drafting team anticipated around September or October.
• Motion to endorse NPRR1235 as submitted added to mini combo ballot..

ICCP Tags for IRR Curtailment Discussion:

• ERCOT working on new tags specifying collective solar and wind curtailment data, expected by end of month.

Disturbances:

• One FME in June on the 29th, routine event with overall good frequency response.
• Issues noticed with telemetry errors in wind and energy storage units causing poor scores.

Stakeholder Comments on NPRR1235 and NOGRR264:

• Nitika Mago: Continued effort to refine DRRs, engage stakeholders, NPRR for DRRs and ESRs targeted before end of year.
• Cyrus Reed (Sierra Club): Filed comments supporting inclusion of storage resources in DRRs, legislative intent to enable this.
• Doug Pietrucha (Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance): Support for storage participation in DRRs, open to workshops for discussion.
• Michael Jewell (Joint Commenters): Support for discussing storage participation, concerns about specific language but willingness to work with ERCOT.

Voting Decisions:

• NOGRR264 and NPRR1235: Motion to recommend approva as submitted and endorse as submitted, respectively.
• The motion carries with seven abstentions. 

• 15 – Dynamics Working Group – DWG – Paul Koberlein

  15.1 – DWG Procedure Manual – Possible Vote

  • Procedure Manual Update
  • Seeking ROS approval for an update to the DWG procedure manual to align with changes proposed with NOGRR245.
  • Proposal to make the new procedure manual effective upon the approval of NOGRR245.
  • Feedback received from Southern Power and Vistra, beyond the scope of desktop edits.
  • Next steps involve discussing comments in DWG and adapting language as needed.
  • Plan to seek approval at the next ROS meeting on September 9.
  • Southern Power requests a delay for technical vetting of updates, particularly by OEMs, to align models with new changes.
  • Concerns about impact on ongoing modeling requests; suggestion for a transition period.
  • Discussion on the comments will continue at the next IBR/TWG joint workshop on August 9.
  • ERCOT’s Sun Wook clarified  that the current manual remains effective until NPRR245 is approved.

  16 – Combo Ballot – Vote – Katie Rich

  

• 17 – Black Start Working Group – BSWG – Mike Dieringer

  • Not Discussed

  18 – Inverter Based Resources Working Group – IBRWG – Julia Matevosyan

  • Presentation on advanced grid support from inverter based energy storage resources functional specifications and test framework by Andrew Isaacs.
  • Four commercially available battery models tested with the proposed framework.
  • Focus on basic functions for energy storage resources to enhance grid support.
  • Highlight of damping capability requirements unique to ERCOT due to many serious capacitors on long transmission lines.
  • Potential conflicts identified between IEEE 2800 standard and advanced support requirements; further examination needed.
  • Proposed four test benches for simulation-based testing; eleven simulation tests proposed.
  • Discussion on adopting advanced grid support requirements for new energy storage resources and voluntary implementation for existing ones.
  • Background provided on the necessity of advanced grid support and global grid forming requirements; benefits shown in ERCOT preliminary studies.
  • Improvement of 5-10% in GDC limits observed in some cases.
  • Transmission service owners encouraged to consider advanced grid support devices for future transmission reinforcements.
  • Finalization of functional specifications and tests planned, with submission of a revision request by the end of the year.
  • Continued assessment of grid forming capabilities from other inverter based resources like wind and solar, and black start capability from grid forming resources.
  • Stakeholders to contact Fred Huang at ERCOT for comments on functional specifications and testing framework.
  • Discussion on DWG procedure manual and future agenda for IBRWG meeting on August 9.
  • SPWG discussing auto recording close to IBRs to improve ride-through capability with setting changes; further discussion at August IBRWG meeting.
  • Texas RE mentioned a market notice switching to single resource CSR model from the beginning of August; potential update to be provided to IBRWG.

  19 – Network Data Support Working Group – NDSWG –  Gerardo Escamilla – 12:55 p.m.

  • Not discussed

  20 – System Protection Working Group – SPWG – Mark McChesney

  • Reviewed proposals from ERCOT on distribution transform modeling.
  • Discussed system change requests to integrate short circuit data into ERCOT’s modeling systems.
  • Received an update on NERC activities related to PRC standards.
  • Invited Aspen to update on short circuit modeling of IBR generators.
  • Held an open discussion on reclosing philosophies related to IBRs and IEEE C 37.104 guidance.
  • Plan to continue the conversation at the next IBRWG.

  21 – Steady State Working Group – SSWG – Zach Walker

  • Zach Walker, vice chair of SSWG, filled in for William Robertson.
  • Gave a quick verbal update, no new items to present.
  • Currently working on the second case build of 2024, targeted for late October publication.
  • A couple of active items involving proposed revisions to the SSWG procedure manual are ongoing.
  • Aiming for consensus among the working group on these revisions.
  • Next business meeting scheduled for August 28 in person at ERCOT.
  • Julia Matevosyan noted a deadline of August 12 for comments on three dark standard drafts.

  22 – Other Business – Katie Rich

  22.1 – 2025 Meeting Schedule

  • PRS moved their meetings to Wednesdays and finalized their schedule for next year.
  • No proposed changes to the current schedule.
  • Most meetings will remain on Thursdays..
  • Will continue using WebEx for meetings with conflicts with open meetings.
  • Agreement to post the schedule on the website if everyone agrees.

  22.2 – Review Open Action Items List

  • SSWG updated the procedural manual after PGRR113 related to NPRR1198.
  • PLWG recommended, and ROS advanced the update forward.
  • SSWG manual is updated on the ERCOT website.
  • New practice initiated: follow-up emails for referrals to ensure they are discussed in the next meeting.
  • Next meeting scheduled for September 9, a Monday, to avoid Labor Day holiday; it will be WebEx only.

  23 – Adjourn

  • The meeting was adjourned.