FERC finalizes new rules to improve reliability in extreme weather conditions
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) finalized two new rules last week that are designed to help improve reliability of the bulk power system against threats of extreme weather.
The first rule directs the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to develop a reliability standard to require transmission system planning for extreme heat and cold weather conditions. This directive includes studying the impact of concurrent failures of bulk power system generation and transmission equipment and implementing corrective actions as needed.
The second rule directs transmission providers to submit reports that detail their policies and processes for conducting extreme weather vulnerability assessments and identifying mitigation strategies.
“Make no mistake: Reliability at FERC is Job No. 1,” FERC Chairman Willie Phillips said. “For the first time, reliability standards will require planning for extreme heat and cold weather. NERC will develop the standards, and once we approve them transmission owners and operators will identify the elements of their systems that are vulnerable to extreme heat and cold and develop solutions to address those vulnerabilities.”
Since 2011, the country has experienced at least seven major extreme weather events, each of which stressed electric grid operations. A presentation at a FERC meeting last week outlined preliminary assessments from the FERC and NERC teams studying the December 2022 Winter Storm Elliott. It in, they underscored the need for the new rules.
Both of these rules take effect 90 days after publication in the Federal Register.
