NERC Alerts
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) discovers, identifies or provide information that is critical to ensuring the reliability of the Bulk Power System (BPS) in North America. NERC disseminates this information through e-mail “alerts” which are divided into three levels:
- Industry Advisory – Purely informational, intended to alert registered entities to issue or potential problems. A response to NERC is not necessary.
- Recommendation to Industry – Recommend specific action be taken by registered entities. Require a response from recipients as defined in the alert.
- Essential Action – Identify actions deemed to be essential to Bulk Power System reliability. Require NERC Board of Trustees approval prior to issuance. Like recommendations, essential actions also require recipients to respond as define in the alert.
Texas Reliability Entity, Inc. (Texas RE) forwards NERC Alerts as necessary and as permitted by handling requirements of the Alert.
NERC Facility Ratings Alert
Based on the NERC Alert Recommendation dated on October 7, 2010 and other related documents, Transmission Owners (TOs) and Generation Owners (GOs) should assess their transmission facilities to identify any actual field conditions that vary significantly from design assumptions. TOs and GOs in the ERCOT region should provide Texas RE a summary of the assessments and identification of transmission facilities where actual field conditions are different from design conditions, resulting in incorrect ratings, and their associated mitigation plans. Remediation is expected within one year from identification of the issue. Extension may be requested from and approved by Texas RE on a case-by-case basis.