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

Grid Monitor AI
12/16/2024

<h2><img src="/storage/docs/2024/12/RPG%2012:16:2024%20HERO.png" width="844" height="633" /></h2> <h2><a href="https://dash3.gridmonitor.com/sharing/?token=0875b164-064f-44d5-a9f1-bdaf2baf6e53">▶️</a> 1 - Antitrust Admonition</h2> <h2><a href="https://dash3.gridmonitor.com/sharing/?token=6354d86e-328e-45ef-b8ed-a84b5e185876">▶️</a> 2 - Miscellaneous Updates - ERCOT</h2> <h2><a href="https://dash3.gridmonitor.com/sharing/?token=877308c4-4c81-4244-beab-7f2f38d780c0">▶️</a> 3 - EIR Status Update – Wilmer 345/138-kV Switch Project - ERCOT</h2> <a href="/storage/docs/2024/12/EIR%20-%20Oncor%20-%20Wilmer%20345138-kV%20Switch%20Project%20-%20Status%20Update%20-%20RPG%20Dec2024.pdf">EIR - Oncor - Wilmer 345138-kV Switch Project - Status Update - RPG Dec2024.pdf</a> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">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.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The project addresses reliability needs due to a new confirmed load of 756 MW.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Four project options were evaluated; options 1 and 4 were shortlisted.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">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</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Detailed analyses like congestion, generation addition impact, load scaling, and SSR assessment showed option 1 is viable without adverse impacts.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">ERCOT recommends option 1 with a total cost of approximately $158.2 million and requires a CCN.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">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.</li> </ul> <h2><a href="https://dash3.gridmonitor.com/sharing/?token=647089f9-4d28-42b7-a3e9-f0a58f077490">▶️</a> 4 - EIR Status Update – Forney 345/138-kV Switch Rebuild Project - ERCOT</h2> <a href="/storage/docs/2024/12/eir-oncor-forney-345_138-kv-switch-rebuild-project_december_rpg.pdf">eir-oncor-forney-345_138-kv-switch-rebuild-project_december_rpg.pdf</a> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">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.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">ERCOT identified thermal violations but no voltage violations during preliminary assessments.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Four options for the switch rebuild were considered: Option 1, 1A, 2, and 3, were shortlisted with Option 2 being deemed infeasible by Oncor.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Option 1A is the ERCOT preferred option due to addressing reliability violations and having the least cost.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sensitivity analysis showed no significant impact from additional generation or load scaling on the project's necessity.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">ERCOT's congestion and SSR assessments found no significant issues, and Option 1A's completion is scheduled for December 2025.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">EIR posting is planned for December 2024, with recommendations to be presented in early 2025, seeking endorsement by February 2025.</li> </ul> <h2><a href="https://dash3.gridmonitor.com/sharing/?token=ffa88a0d-2be0-4e10-8786-c71d11d336ae">▶️</a> 5 - EIR Status Update – Venus Switch to Sam Switch 345-kV Line Project - ERCOT</h2> <a href="/storage/docs/2024/12/eir_oncor_venus_switch_to_sam_switch_project_dec.pdf">eir_oncor_venus_switch_to_sam_switch_project_dec.pdf</a> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Final update on the Oncor Venus switch to SAM switch 345-kV line project.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Oncor submitted the project to RPG in June, estimated cost $118,900,000, with a service date of May 2026.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The project aims to address post-contingency thermal overloads on the double circuit 345-kV line.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Previous project updates were provided in August, September, October, and November RPG meetings.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Study considerations included approved RPG projects and confirmed load additions.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Thermal overloads under various scenarios were assessed.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Two options were reviewed: Option 1 (Oncor proposal) and Option 2 (with additional upgrade).</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Option 1 estimated cost: $118,900,000; Option 2 estimated cost: $253,500,000.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">ERCOT decided to move forward with Option 1 due to cost-effectiveness and meeting needs.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Several sensitivity analyses were performed, confirming the viability of Option 1.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Congestion analysis showed no economic benefit from further line upgrades.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">No adverse subsynchronous resonance impacts identified.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">EIR posting expected within the month, recommendation to TAC and R&M scheduled for January and February 2025.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Board of Directors endorsement to be sought in February 2025.</li> </ul> <h2><a href="https://dash3.gridmonitor.com/sharing/?token=78b44224-5afd-4ead-a874-2b8cd7faa140">▶️</a> 6 - EIR Status Update – Combined Oncor Delaware Basin Stage 5 Project & WETT Delaware Basin Stage 5 Project Alternative - ERCOT</h2> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">ERCOT has extended the independent review schedule for the project.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Updated schedule provided to the RPG listserv.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Comparison of all options is still underway.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Expected completion of EIR is before March 20th, 2025.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">No questions from the attendees followed the update.</li> </ul> <h2><a href="https://dash3.gridmonitor.com/sharing/?token=d793d2dc-3dd8-429b-9a64-8d98b65a5e21">▶️</a> 7 - Southwest Houston 345-kV Reliability Project - CNP</h2> <a href="/storage/docs/2024/12/24rpg032-_cnp_southwest_houston_345kv_reliability_project_ercot_rpg_presentation.pdf">24rpg032-_cnp_southwest_houston_345kv_reliability_project_ercot_rpg_presentation.pdf</a> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Project Overview: Southwest Houston 345-kV Reliability Project presented by Raja Kakarla from CenterPoint Energy.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">CenterPoint Energy serves over 21 gigawatts in Houston with various tie-lines built in 2007 and 2018.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">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.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Project needs identified due to high condition costs and congested elements in 2022 and 2023 studies.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Two reliability projects within CenterPoint energy footprint identified in 2023 RTP study.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">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.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Expected cost of the project is around $569,322,000, including minimizing outages during construction.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Project timeline: Construction to begin in 2025, service expected by summer peak of 2028.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">No CCN applications required as the project uses existing right of way.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Public comment period ended November 4; independent review completion expected by Q1/Q2 2025.</li> </ul> <h2><a href="https://dash3.gridmonitor.com/sharing/?token=d4ce8c31-fe0c-4d0b-b6b3-bc714e658eb3">▶️</a> 8 - ERCOT Independent Review Scope: Southwest Houston 345-kV Reliability Project - CNP</h2> <a href="/storage/docs/2024/12/eir-cnp-southwest-houston-345-kv-reliability-project_scope_december_rpg.pdf">eir-cnp-southwest-houston-345-kv-reliability-project_scope_december_rpg.pdf</a> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Introduction of the Southwest Houston 345-kV Reliability Project for RPG review, classified as a Tier 1 project.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Project cost estimated at $569,300,000, with an in-service date around 2028.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Addresses thermal overloads seen in 2023 RTP cases for CNP.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Project focuses on transmission elements near Matagorda, Wharton, and Fort Bend counties, monitoring electrically close areas.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Steady-state base case construction will use the 2023 RTP and 2029 summer peak case for the Eastern Coast weather zone.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Addition of transmission projects with in-service dates on or before June 1, 2028, to the study base case if not already modeled.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Removal of placeholder projects from the 2023 RTP in the study area.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Generation projects meeting planning guide conditions and operational by June 1, 2028, will be added.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Dispatch of generation in alignment with 2024 RTP methodology, with review of recently retired units.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Load adjustments in accordance with the 2023 RTP methodology.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Adherence to NERC TPL-001-5.1 and planning criteria for contingencies and criteria evaluation.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Thermal limits and voltage limits to be enforced with specific ratings for conditions.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Reliability assessment analysis to identify load-serving needs in the study area.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Alternatives tested to meet NERC and ERCOT reliability requirements.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Assessment of project cost estimate and feasibility by TSP, with potential generation and load scaling sensitivity analysis.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Timeline provided, with final recommendation expected in early Q2 of 2025.</li> </ul> <h2><a href="https://dash3.gridmonitor.com/sharing/?token=c8034a14-27c7-461f-b5b7-cada5eb7f07a">▶️</a> 9 - ERCOT Extra-High Voltage Infrastructure Update - ERCOT</h2> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The EHV study is in its final stages, focusing on steady state reliability analysis with RTP, additional stability analysis, and economic analysis.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Results are being prepared for a PUC filing on January 15th, with a comprehensive summary to be presented following the filing.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The core plan was settled last month and will form the basis of the detailed analysis for submission to the PUC.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">There is no specific date yet for the release of the RTP, but it is expected by the end of the year.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The filing with the PUC will be a comparison document of analyzed options, not a finalized plan.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The PUC and potentially the legislature have roles in decision-making regarding the Permian Basin options.</li> </ul> <h2><a href="https://dash3.gridmonitor.com/sharing/?token=c8034a14-27c7-461f-b5b7-cada5eb7f07a">▶️</a> 10 - Update for 2024 RTP Economic Study - ERCOT</h2> <a href="/storage/docs/2024/12/2024-rtp-economic-study_20241216.pdf">2024-rtp-economic-study_20241216.pdf</a> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Two basic economic cases for 2026 and 2029 have been created.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tests conducted include production costing test, generator revenue test, and consumer energy cost reduction test.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A new total consumer energy cost of retiring test will replace the generator revenue retiring test.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Project production cost saving must be 12.9% of capital cost to be viable.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Five projects produced positive consumer energy reduction benefits.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Top congestion locations noted in several regions.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Eight main projects are evaluated, with varied economic savings.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Total consumer energy cost reduction test captures more benefit than the generation revenue reduction test.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Approval of NPRR1247 impacts future project approval plans.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Stakeholders request more data for understanding total consumer energy cost reduction test.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Different load forecasts used for analysis years 2026 and 2029.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Project evaluation is based on congestion data from historical and real-time operations.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Economic analysis benefits calculated for near-term (2026) and future (2029) years.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Stakeholders can suggest projects for evaluation.</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">RTP projects are selected based on congestion and operational data.</li> </ul> <h2><a href="https://dash3.gridmonitor.com/sharing/?token=5c08748b-1997-4b41-99f2-1d4aa397fdca">▶️</a> 11 - Adjourn - ERCOT</h2>