Vermont Outage Coordination and Planning

Transcription

1 Vermont Outage Coordination and Planning

2 Objectives Convey VELCO s role within NE and VT for outage coordination Review VELCO and VT utility outage coordination process Identify outage scheduling challenges, increased with longer outages being requested in VT and NE Review outage risk management and strategies Convey that the results of system studies often dictates additional measures to be taken prior to, or during a planned system outage 2 2

3 Outage Coordination Process ISO-NE procedures define outage planning, studies, scheduling, and work execution OP-2 (Maintenance of Communications, Computers, Metering and Computer Support Equipment) OP-3 (Transmission Outage Scheduling) OP-5 (Generator and Dispatchable Asset Related Demand Maintenance and Outage Scheduling for outages) MLCC #7 (Processing Transmission Outage Applications) All planned outage/work requests are submitted in advance Long-term transmission outage process, >21 days Short-term transmission outage process, <21 days Unplanned outages Forced, less than five working days Emergency, requires immediate operator intervention ISO-NE tracks a variety of outage metrics 3 3

4 4 4 ISO-NE Metric Example Goal 2 Long Term by TO

5 Outage Coordination Process VELCO procedures define outage planning, studies, scheduling, and work execution OP-2 (Critical Communications, Computers, and Metering Systems Support) OP-3 (Outage / Maintenance Scheduling) OP-55 (EMS Contingency Analysis (CA) VELCO Switching and Tagging Rules Two experienced Outage Coordinators VELCO tracks and coordinates outage activity for the transmission and subtransmission assets in VT Coordinate directly with VT utilities having 24/7/365 control centers and with utilities having direct electrical connectivity BED, GMP-C, GMP-R, Lyndonville Electric, Stowe Electric, Village of Swanton, and VEC Coordinate directly with select generators, e.g. assigned as DE 5 5

6 Outage Coordination Process VELCO Operations conducts the Friday Morning Meeting where all short-term and longer-term outages are reviewed At a minimum, a one-month outlook is reviewed to give all entities the ability to plan and coordinate work One last check-in for the short-term and upcoming (next week s) work All VT utilities with control centers are invited to the meeting, and include several other utilities such as Stowe Normal attendees are BED, GMP-C, GMP-R, and VEC VELCO asks that for those assigned to attend these meetings, make an effort to attend each meeting, and assign an alternate when not available 6 6

7 7 7 VELCO Outage Scheduling and Switching

8 VELCO Outage Coordination and Planning 8 8

9 VELCO Outage Coordination and Planning 9 9

10 Outage Scheduling Challenges & Considerations Seasonal weather conditions, e.g. frozen ground System loading conditions Economic impacts within VT and external Must run generation Generation impact, i.e. curtailments ROW access and landowner considerations, e.g. planting and harvesting Competing internal and external to VT outage activity ISO-NE outage approvals take time for study work and inter-area coordination Projects scheduled first, get priority 10 10

11 Outage Scheduling Challenges and Considerations VT is uniquely positioned between NE, NY and Quebec operating control areas Major Transmission Elements (MTE) Require a greater level of coordination and are expected to follow longer lead times in scheduling outages Can have a significant impact on the reliable and/or economic operation VT has 18 transmission circuits identified as MTE s Schedule outages 90 days in advance Significant amount of internal and external transmission improvements Experiencing long-term outages, weeks and even months Need for work synergies and dovetailing outages Need for different strategies to reduce risk 11 11

12 Outage Risk Management Studies identify outages and associated N-1 contingencies of higher risk for area reliability and loss of load VELCO collaboration to identify ways to reduce risks Perform work hot were feasible Stage work so that assets can be restored each evening Schedule during more favorable seasonal conditions Leverage more crews to reduce outage window Crew work strategies to minimize emergency recall times for circuits When higher risk outages cannot be avoided, additional measures are taken 12 12

13 Additional Measures Strategic dispatch of Vermont generation assets and reactive resources to support pre and post contingent system operations Helicopter patrols of VELCO transmission assets Foot patrols of VELCO transmission assets Request for status reports of neighboring LCC assets Staffing for VELCO substation assets Prepositioning of VELCO maintenance crews for rapid deployment Detailed weather forecast assessment from VELCO weather consultant Real-time weather threat assessments for recalling work 13 13

14 Additional Measures Development of a VELCO System Operator action list for response to contingency scenarios Updates throughout the day from field personnel on progress of work, minimum restoration time and expected completion time Pre-contingency sectionalizing and/or arming of under-voltage load shedding to allow for controlled tripping or sectionalizing of load during an event Pre-contingency curtailment of work activity on adjacent circuits 14 14

15 15 15 Additional Measures

16 16 16 Additional Measures

17 17 17 Additional Measures

18 Conclusion Every outage, no matter how small, requires managing risk Due to system design and topology, some outages have a higher degree of regret VELCO works closely with internal and external to VT entities to effectively coordinate all outage activity VELCO and other transmission operators are managing much longer outages that create significant challenges Strategies to minimize risk, such as running generation is not feasible for these longer-term outages When higher risk outages cannot be avoided, additional measures are taken 18 18

19 19 19 Questions?