***From an external source – Think before you click. ***

Sending on behalf of Bob Helton and Diana Coleman-

 

For clarification, please have your group assessments completed no later than the September 13^th TAC/TAC Subcommittee Structural and Procedural Review.   Responses can be sent to [log in to unmask] or reported directly to your Subcommittee leadership.

 

In addition, ERCOT Staff will be compiling the following information for discussion as part of the Annual TAC/TAC Subcommittee Structure and Procedural Review.     

 

For Subcommittees:

Percentage of agendas that are comprised of voting items vs. updates

Segment representation at meetings – are there certain segments that are not attending on a regular basis

 

For Subcommittees/Working Groups and Task Forces:

Percentage/Number of meetings that are WebEx only 

Percentage/Number of meetings that are cancelled

 

Please let us know if you have any questions.  Thank you.

 

 

Phillip Bracy Market Rules Analyst O: 512.248.6917 | M: 512.865.0064 Phillip.Bracy@ercot.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent on behalf of Bob Helton & Diana Coleman –

 

Subcommittee/Working Group/Task Force Leadership,

 

The Annual TAC/TAC Subcommittee Structural and Procedural Review is scheduled for Thursday, September 13^th.   As part of the annual review process, subcommittees/working groups/task forces should complete a self-assessment to gauge whether or not the groups are still necessary and/or if efficiencies can be found. 

 

TAC Leadership is requesting that the following criteria be used to complete the assessment.   

 

·         Review of Scope – Is the Scope still valid and is the subcommittee/working group/task force still performing these functions; Does the scope need to be revised?

a.      The PGDTF Scope was created by the task force and approved by ROS on October 30th, 2014 to formalize (through the initiation of Protocol and Guide revisions after appropriate consideration of the technical basis and NERC requirements) the requirements and criteria for performing Geomagnetic Disturbance (“GMD”) Vulnerability Assessments to comply with NERC TPL-007-1 Reliability Standard.  PGDTF has completed many of the functions outlined in the original scope and is working on the rest of them.

b.      However, this Scope will have to be revised soon to incorporate revisions made to TPL-007-1 by the NERC Standard Drafting Team to comply with directives from the FERC. FERC is expected to approve NERC Reliability Standard TPL-007-2 before the end of 2018.   

·         Review Open Action Items list – Is the subcommittee/working group/task force discussing open issues, ongoing issues, etc.

a.      PGDTF meets every month to discuss the ongoing issues and plans to resolve them. Every meeting has a full agenda, including but not limited to reviews of the previous meeting minutes,  updates on the federal and state activities regarding GMD, discussions regarding the Geomagnetically Induced Current (“GIC”) data, installation of GIC monitors and magnetometer in the ERCOT region, development and maintenance of the ERCOT GIC System models, and GMD Vulnerability Assessment Scope and schedules.  

·         How often does the subcommittee/working group/task force meet and how long are their meetings?  Are meetings well attended? 

a.      PGDTF meets monthly and with the full agenda for each meeting typically lasting from 9:30am until 3:30pm or longer.  From January 2018 PGDTF met 8 times and conducted 4 consecutive meetings that lasted 2 or 3 days to build the ERCOT GIC System models required by the NERC Reliability Standard TPL-007-1. The meetings are well attended by TSPs and ERCOT, less by REs and others. PGDTF does a roll call and keeps records of attendees and meeting’s minutes.

b.      PGDTF also conducts ERCOT/TSP-only “model building” sessions to discuss confidential data and validate/troubleshoot the ERCOT GIC System models.

c.       PGDTF business meetings held in 2018 had an average attendance of 24 members (including in-person and identified call-in participants).

·         Does the subcommittee/working group/task force have a similar scope with another subcommittee/working group/task force – if so, can the groups be consolidated?

a.      The PGDTF scope is similar to the SSWG, DWG and SPWG scope since all these working group goal the goal of these working groups is to build the ERCOT’s System models; however, PGDTF’s scope is broader in that in addition to developing a planning model which is new.  PGDTF is developing new processes, procedures, and scopes for the new Geomagnetic Disturbance planning requirements which the other working groups are not addressing. 

b.      PGDTF cannot be readily consolidated with other groups because its scope is different from those of the other working groups.  The GIC System Model data is unique and not included in other ERCOT case building activities.  Given the FERC’s and NERC’s interest in GMD planning, conversion of the PGDTF to a working group would demonstrate ERCOT’s commitment to planning for GMD events.   

·         If applicable, review subcommittee/working group/task force procedures. (voting, process, etc.)

a.      Please see the attached “GIC_System_Model_Procedure_Manual_ROS_Approved_11118.docx”.  PGDTF is using its Procedure Manual to build the GIC System models and is developing a list of improvements to be made to the Manual at the appropriate time.

·         Is the subcommittee/working group/task force still necessary?

a.      Yes. Based on the FERC interest and sensitivity in this area and knowledge and experience PGDTF gained during the past 5 years, it would be prudent to continue the existence of the PGDTF.  There is more additional important work to do regarding the development and maintenance of the GIC data and GIC System models including annual maintenance of the models, development of the steady-state voltage criteria as required by TPL-007-1, collaboration with ERCOT Planning in performing the GMD Vulnerability Assessment, and incorporation of the new requirements in TPL-007-2 in ERCOT binding documents and processes and procedures.

 

 

 

Phillip Bracy Market Rules Analyst O: 512.248.6917 | M: 512.865.0064 Phillip.Bracy@ercot.com