Meeting Summary - 12/16/2024 - RPG Meeting - Webex Only

▶️ 1 - Antitrust Admonition

▶️ 2 - Miscellaneous Updates - ERCOT

▶️ 3 - EIR Status Update – Wilmer 345/138-kV Switch Project - ERCOT

EIR - Oncor - Wilmer 345138-kV Switch Project - Status Update - RPG Dec2024.pdf

• The Wilmer project is a tier one project in Dallas County with an estimated cost of $158 million and an in-service date of May 2026.
• The project addresses reliability needs due to a new confirmed load of 756 MW.
• Four project options were evaluated; options 1 and 4 were shortlisted.
• Option 1 was chosen as the preferred solution due to results of the planned maintenance outage analysis, long-term load-serving capability assessment, and preliminary cost estimates
• Detailed analyses like congestion, generation addition impact, load scaling, and SSR assessment showed option 1 is viable without adverse impacts.
• ERCOT recommends option 1 with a total cost of approximately $158.2 million and requires a CCN.
• Next steps include publishing the EIR report by the end of the week, presenting it to TAC in January, and seeking Board endorsement in February.

▶️ 4 - EIR Status Update – Forney 345/138-kV Switch Rebuild Project - ERCOT

eir-oncor-forney-345_138-kv-switch-rebuild-project_december_rpg.pdf

• Oncor's Forney project is a Tier 1 initiative with an estimated $103.5 million cost, aiming for completion by December 1, 2025, to address post-contingency thermal overloads and aging infrastructure.
• ERCOT identified thermal violations but no voltage violations during preliminary assessments.
• Four options for the switch rebuild were considered: Option 1, 1A, 2, and 3, were shortlisted with Option 2 being deemed infeasible by Oncor.
• Option 1A is the ERCOT preferred option due to addressing reliability violations and having the least cost.
• Sensitivity analysis showed no significant impact from additional generation or load scaling on the project's necessity.
• ERCOT's congestion and SSR assessments found no significant issues, and Option 1A's completion is scheduled for December 2025.
• EIR posting is planned for December 2024, with recommendations to be presented in early 2025, seeking endorsement by February 2025.

▶️ 5 - EIR Status Update – Venus Switch to Sam Switch 345-kV Line Project - ERCOT

eir_oncor_venus_switch_to_sam_switch_project_dec.pdf

• Final update on the Oncor Venus switch to SAM switch 345-kV line project.
• Oncor submitted the project to RPG in June, estimated cost $118,900,000, with a service date of May 2026.
• The project aims to address post-contingency thermal overloads on the double circuit 345-kV line.
• Previous project updates were provided in August, September, October, and November RPG meetings.
• Study considerations included approved RPG projects and confirmed load additions.
• Thermal overloads under various scenarios were assessed.
• Two options were reviewed: Option 1 (Oncor proposal) and Option 2 (with additional upgrade).
• Option 1 estimated cost: $118,900,000; Option 2 estimated cost: $253,500,000.
• ERCOT decided to move forward with Option 1 due to cost-effectiveness and meeting needs.
• Several sensitivity analyses were performed, confirming the viability of Option 1.
• Congestion analysis showed no economic benefit from further line upgrades.
• No adverse subsynchronous resonance impacts identified.
• EIR posting expected within the month, recommendation to TAC and R&M scheduled for January and February 2025.
• Board of Directors endorsement to be sought in February 2025.

▶️ 6 - EIR Status Update – Combined Oncor Delaware Basin Stage 5 Project & WETT Delaware Basin Stage 5 Project Alternative - ERCOT

• ERCOT has extended the independent review schedule for the project.
• Updated schedule provided to the RPG listserv.
• Comparison of all options is still underway.
• Expected completion of EIR is before March 20th, 2025.
• No questions from the attendees followed the update.

▶️ 7 - Southwest Houston 345-kV Reliability Project - CNP

24rpg032-_cnp_southwest_houston_345kv_reliability_project_ercot_rpg_presentation.pdf

• Project Overview: Southwest Houston 345-kV Reliability Project presented by Raja Kakarla from CenterPoint Energy.
• CenterPoint Energy serves over 21 gigawatts in Houston with various tie-lines built in 2007 and 2018.
• Increase of renewable generation along the 3.5 kV transmission lines from 5.5 gigawatts in 2018 to an expected 12.1 gigawatts by 2025.
• Project needs identified due to high condition costs and congested elements in 2022 and 2023 studies.
• Two reliability projects within CenterPoint energy footprint identified in 2023 RTP study.
• Project Goals: Looping 345 kV Elmaton-W.A. Parish ckt 39 into Bailey substation; installing a 20 Ohm line reactor; reconductoring and rebuilding certain lines to relieve overloads.
• Expected cost of the project is around $569,322,000, including minimizing outages during construction.
• Project timeline: Construction to begin in 2025, service expected by summer peak of 2028.
• No CCN applications required as the project uses existing right of way.
• Public comment period ended November 4; independent review completion expected by Q1/Q2 2025.

▶️ 8 - ERCOT Independent Review Scope: Southwest Houston 345-kV Reliability Project - CNP

eir-cnp-southwest-houston-345-kv-reliability-project_scope_december_rpg.pdf

• Introduction of the Southwest Houston 345-kV Reliability Project for RPG review, classified as a Tier 1 project.
• Project cost estimated at $569,300,000, with an in-service date around 2028.
• Addresses thermal overloads seen in 2023 RTP cases for CNP.
• Project focuses on transmission elements near Matagorda, Wharton, and Fort Bend counties, monitoring electrically close areas.
• Steady-state base case construction will use the 2023 RTP and 2029 summer peak case for the Eastern Coast weather zone.
• Addition of transmission projects with in-service dates on or before June 1, 2028, to the study base case if not already modeled.
• Removal of placeholder projects from the 2023 RTP in the study area.
• Generation projects meeting planning guide conditions and operational by June 1, 2028, will be added.
• Dispatch of generation in alignment with 2024 RTP methodology, with review of recently retired units.
• Load adjustments in accordance with the 2023 RTP methodology.
• Adherence to NERC TPL-001-5.1 and planning criteria for contingencies and criteria evaluation.
• Thermal limits and voltage limits to be enforced with specific ratings for conditions.
• Reliability assessment analysis to identify load-serving needs in the study area.
• Alternatives tested to meet NERC and ERCOT reliability requirements.
• Assessment of project cost estimate and feasibility by TSP, with potential generation and load scaling sensitivity analysis.
• Timeline provided, with final recommendation expected in early Q2 of 2025.

▶️ 9 - ERCOT Extra-High Voltage Infrastructure Update - ERCOT

• The EHV study is in its final stages, focusing on steady state reliability analysis with RTP, additional stability analysis, and economic analysis.
• Results are being prepared for a PUC filing on January 15th, with a comprehensive summary to be presented following the filing.
• The core plan was settled last month and will form the basis of the detailed analysis for submission to the PUC.
• There is no specific date yet for the release of the RTP, but it is expected by the end of the year.
• The filing with the PUC will be a comparison document of analyzed options, not a finalized plan.
• The PUC and potentially the legislature have roles in decision-making regarding the Permian Basin options.

▶️ 10 - Update for 2024 RTP Economic Study - ERCOT

2024-rtp-economic-study_20241216.pdf

• Two basic economic cases for 2026 and 2029 have been created.
• Tests conducted include production costing test, generator revenue test, and consumer energy cost reduction test.
• A new total consumer energy cost of retiring test will replace the generator revenue retiring test.
• Project production cost saving must be 12.9% of capital cost to be viable.
• Five projects produced positive consumer energy reduction benefits.
• Top congestion locations noted in several regions.
• Eight main projects are evaluated, with varied economic savings.
• Total consumer energy cost reduction test captures more benefit than the generation revenue reduction test.
• Approval of NPRR1247 impacts future project approval plans.
• Stakeholders request more data for understanding total consumer energy cost reduction test.
• Different load forecasts used for analysis years 2026 and 2029.
• Project evaluation is based on congestion data from historical and real-time operations.
• Economic analysis benefits calculated for near-term (2026) and future (2029) years.
• Stakeholders can suggest projects for evaluation.
• RTP projects are selected based on congestion and operational data.

▶️ 11 - Adjourn - ERCOT