FERC, NERC release report on real-time assessments of grid operating conditions
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released a report that offers recommendations for real-time assessments of grid operating conditions.
Real-time assessments evaluate system conditions using real-time data. The data includes existing and potential operating conditions to ensure the continued reliable operation of the bulk electric system.
In their review, FERC and NERC looked at strategies and techniques used by reliability coordinators and transmission operators to perform these assessments. The review included on-site discussions with representatives of nine participating reliability coordinators and transmission operators.
In their report, the commissions concluded that system operators are prepared to manage limited impairments of their primary assessment tools or data through system redundancy and redundant data sources. However, they said infrequent events involving significant real-time data loss or the failure of primary analysis tools lasting more than two hours require the development of alternative data sources and tools. This is necessary to mitigate the potential loss of visibility and control resulting from the impairment of their primary tools.
Specifically, the report focused on five primary issues and objectives: maintaining situational awareness when tools are affected; ensuring actions are known and consistent in timing and scope; having feasible, accurate backup plans with related training programs; establishing verification procedures to ensure that models are accurate and consistent; and maintaining awareness of changes/upgrades to their tools.
