Meeting Summary - 08/01/24 ROS Meeting

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

• Motion carried with all in favor

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.