NERC report analyzes potential impacts of disruption of natural gas delivery

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently conducted an assessment of potential reliability impacts that would be caused by a disruption in natural gas deliveries and offered recommendations for a new planning approach to reliability.

The assessment, Special Assessment: Potential Bulk Power System Impacts Due to Severe Disruptions on the Natural Gas System, reviewed existing studies to gain a better understanding of current planning practices, evaluated gas storage facilities and identified high-density areas of natural gas generation as well as potential vulnerabilities and risk factors.

“The operating realities of renewables and other intermittent generation resources, when combined with ongoing coal and nuclear retirements, create a greater dependence on natural-gas-fired generation,” John Moura, director of Reliability Assessment and System Analysis, said. “In light of the power sector’s rising reliance on natural gas, the loss of gas facilities must be added to the list of potential extreme contingencies used to measure system reliability impacts.”

The assessments recommendations included preparing to obtain air permit waivers in the event of an emergency and increased coordination between the natural gas and electricity sectors.

NERC also suggested that regulators address cyber and physical security needs and that the Department of Energy consider collecting data on dual fuel storage and seasonal on-site inventory. Owners and operators of dual-fuel generators should also ensure their operability, the report said.

NERC, the assessment concluded, should improve its Generator Availability Data System to enable more precise insights into the causes of generator outages.

Lastly, NERC’s assessment suggested that wholesale electric markets should continue to incentivize performance of natural gas generation.

“NERC has evaluated how the loss of key natural gas infrastructure facilities could impact the reliability of the bulk power system,” Thomas Coleman, director of Reliability Assessments at NERC, said. “Comprehensive planning by Planning Coordinators can significantly increase the grid’s resilience.”