Transmission Operator Audit Information
A transmission operator, a type of transmission and/or distribution service provider registered with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) independent system operator (ISO), may be audited for compliance with ERCOT Protocols and Operating Guides. Texas Reliability Entity, Inc. (Texas RE) will ask the transmission operator to respond to a protocol questionnaire sent 60 days before the audit. The transmission operator must respond within 30 days. Below are the questions that Texas RE will ask. Each question is tailored to determine the transmission operator’s compliance with a specific ERCOT Protocol(s).
The responses must indicate how the organization complies with the requirements. Responses should note the documentation (procedures, schedules, plans, records, etc.) and other materials that verify compliance. The organization must also be prepared to supply such documentation at the audit or before, ideally in electronic format.
Please note that Texas RE may ask additional questions about an organization’s compliance with additional ERCOT Protocols at Texas RE’s discretion.
Training Questions
Describe in detail the transmission operator training program’s objectives, curriculum, personnel, and positions covered; training methods; and training documentation.
Reference: ERCOT Operating Guide Section 1.8.1 and 1.8.2
Describe your procedure related to how the transmission operator training program addresses the forty (40) hour requirement for emergency training. Provide evidence of how the emergency training program is documented.
Reference: ERCOT Operating Guide Section 1.8.2
Describe how the transmission operator determines that its 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week scheduling center operators are initially qualified for their positions and qualification is maintained.
Reference: ERCOT Protocol 4.3.4 and Operating Guide Section 1.8.2 and 1.8.6
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Energy Emergency Alert Questions
Describe your organization’s plan of action in the event of ERCOT-declared emergency and short supply situations, including interrupting load, notifying others, and restoring service. Provide any applicable procedures.
Reference: ERCOT Protocols Section 5.6.7 and Operating Guides Section 4.5.2
How do the transmission operator’s plans for dropping load during Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) Procedures (formerly known as a Emergency Electric Curtailment Plan, or EECP) event deal with load on feeders equipped with automatic under-frequency relays? Describe transmission operator preparations following an extended event to restore such load equipped with under-frequency relays to rotate interruptions, re-arm load shedding capability for a subsequent event, or avoid exceeding equipment capabilities. Provide any applicable procedures.
Reference: ERCOT Operating Guides Section 2.9.1
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Loss of Control Center Questions
Describe the backup control plan in the event that the primary control center for transmission operations becomes inoperable. Describe timing of actions so as to avoid placing a prolonged burden on ERCOT and other market participants in the event that the transmission operator primary functions are interrupted. Provide details of procedures and practices for backup control function testing and training of personnel for intended functions.
Reference: ERCOT Operating Guides Section 1.7.3
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Outage Questions
How do your operators report forced and Level 1 outages? Provide any applicable procedures.
Reference: ERCOT Protocols Sections 8.2.2 through 8.2.5
Describe how your company develops, reports and revises its rolling twelve-month outage schedule.
Reference: ERCOT Protocols Section 8.1.3.2
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Reactive Power Questions
What procedures or guidelines do your operators follow in utilizing transmission and distribution reactive power sources to minimize dependence on generation-supplied reactive resources?
Reference: ERCOT Protocols Section 6.7.6 (2)
Describe how your company works with interconnected generation to maintain voltage profiles.
Reference: ERCOT Protocols Section 6.7.6 (3) and Operating Guide Section 2.10.4.1
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Real-Time Data, Communication, and Telemetry Questions
Provide practices and procedures to ensure that all required real-time data points are provided, with proper accuracy, update times, and scan rates. Describe the process and procedure for identifying problems with data, communication, and control equipment, and how those problems are corrected. Identify data quality codes for telemetry forwarded to ERCOT through ICCP (Inter-control Center Communications Protocol) or the ERCOT interface remote telemetry unit (RTU).
Reference: ERCOT Protocols Section 12.4.4.1.1 and Operating Guide 8.1, 8.2, and Attachment 8A.
Describe the requirements and practices related to maintaining data collection and communication equipment used for SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and voice communications for monitored substations and other transmission facilities.
Reference: ERCOT Operating Guides Sections 8.2, 8.3.4 and 8.3.5
Describe the practices used for coordination of communications maintenance, testing, and restoration activities with the ERCOT ISO, other market participants, and providers of leased telecommunications services.
Reference: ERCOT Operating Guides Section 8.3.5
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