Federal study finds grid operators have sufficient blackstart resources
U.S. power grid operators have adequate capability to restore their systems using blackstart resources in the event of widespread outages, according to a recent report by staff at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
Blackstart resources are generating facilities that grid operators can start without support from the grid or that can remain energized without a connection to the rest of the grid.
The joint research team assessed the blackstart resources and planning of nine utilities registered with NERC. The researchers found that, although some utilities have seen a decrease in the number of blackstart resources over the past decade, they have sufficient blackstart resources in their system restoration plans and have developed adequate strategies for protecting against future loss of blackstart resources.
The study also found that some utilities had expanded testing of blackstart capability. These tests provided valuable knowledge the utilities to modify, update and improve their system restoration plans as well as the steady state and dynamic models supporting their system restoration plans and system restoration drills, according to the study.
The joint report also makes recommendations for voluntary consideration by the industry, including that industry address single fuel-use constraints, validate system models and expand testing of system restoration plans.
The study follows a 2016 joint FERC-NERC-Regional Entity staff review that evaluated utilities’ plans for restoration and recovery of the bulk power system after a widespread outage or blackout. That review identified for further study issues related to the availability of blackstart resources.
