A look at TPL-008: Boosting the Bulk Electric Power System Reliability
As climate change continues to increase, extreme temperatures are intensifying and being recorded more frequently. As a result of these extreme temperatures, the Bulk Power System (BPS) can be significantly impacted. The results of this could lead to reduced transmission capacity, increased demand and even widespread outages.
As a Transmission Planner (TP) and Planning Coordinator (PC), it is their obligation and responsibility to establish Transmission system planning performance requirements to develop a Bulk Power System (BPS) that will operate reliably during extreme heat and extreme cold temperature events.
Between 2018-2023, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reported 58% large-scale grid disturbances. During the Winter of 2021, Winter Storm Uri lead to millions of people being without power, $25 billion annually in damages, cascading failures and system disruptions. This compelled NERC and FERC to address extreme temperatures and reliability of BPS, NERC created the NERC Standard, TPL-008-1.
TPL-008-1 is a modified version of TPL-001-5.1.
Who Does It Apply To and How Often?
Applying to TPs and PCs, TPL-008 is composed of 11 requirements “for the performance of periodic studies assessing the wide-area impacts of extreme heat and extreme cold temperature events on the Bulk-Power System,” according to the Standards Action Document from NERC. Each entity must do their part, so the full Extreme Weather assessment is completed at least once every five years or sooner if there is a major event to continue maintaining grid reliability and resiliency.
What Is In the Requirements?
- TPL-008 consists of 11 requirements.
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- TPL-008 applies to Transmission Planners and Planning Coordinators.
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- Requirements call for periodic studies on performance during extreme heat and extreme cold temperatures events on the BPS.
- Each PC must work with its TP(s) to determine who is responsible for doing each part of the Extreme Temperature Assessment.
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- This includes everything listed in Requirements R2 through R11. This may include but not limited to identifying PC’s zones under Attachment 1, coordinating with other PC(s) and TP(s)process developing benchmark planning cases for Extreme Weather Temperature and conduct steady state and transient stability analyses.
- Each TP must work with its PC(s) and use the process developed by its PC to establish a normal system condition (P0).
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- This condition may include one common extreme heat and one common extreme cold benchmark planning case or common extreme cold sensitivity case. Furthermore, TP(s) must document the criteria or methodology to be used in the Extreme Temperature Assessment to identify instability, uncontrolled separation, or Cascading within an Interconnection. If the analysis of a benchmark planning case is unable to meet performance requirements for a category P0, each identified TP must develop a Corrective Action Plan.
When Does It Go In Effect?
According to the NERC Implementation Plan, TPL-008-1 shall become effective on the first day of the first calendar quarter that is twelve months after the effective date of the applicable governmental authority’s order approving the standard, or as otherwise provided for by the applicable governmental authority.
Initial Performance of Periodic Requirements
Entities shall complete the Extreme Temperature Assessment no later than forty-eight (48) months after the effective date of Reliability Standard TPL-008-1. Subsequent Extreme Temperature Assessments shall be completed by no later than five calendar years following the completion of the previous Extreme Temperature Assessment.
Compliance Date for TPL-008-1 Requirement R1
Entities shall be required to comply with Requirement R1, pertaining to the identification of individual and joint responsibilities for completing the Extreme Temperature Assessment, upon the effective date of Reliability Standard TPL-008-1.
Compliance Date for TPL-008-1 Requirements R2, R3, R4, R5, R6
Entities shall not be required to comply with Requirements R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 until twenty-four months after the effective date of Reliability Standard TPL-008-1.
Compliance Date for TPL-008-1 Requirements R7, R8, R9, R10, R11
Entities shall not be required to comply with Requirements R7, R8, R9, R10, R11 until forty-eight months after the effective date of Reliability Standard TPL-008-1.
Entities shall complete the Extreme Temperature Assessment no later than forty-eight (48) months after the effective date of Reliability Standard TPL-008-1. Subsequent Extreme Temperature Assessments shall be completed by no later than five calendar years following the completion of the previous Extreme Temperature Assessment.
How can GDS help?
At GDS we are determined to help our clients comply and remain compliant with NERC Standard, TPL-008-1. How can we help?
- Clarify Responsibilities of Entities (R1)
- Identify Extreme Temperature Zones and Benchmarks (R2)
- Develop Planning and Sensitivity Cases (R3-R4)
- Perform System Analyses (R5-R8)
- Create Corrective Action Plans if necessary (R9)
- Risk Mitigation and Reporting (R10-R11)
For questions or to discuss further, reach out to the GDS Energy Reliability & Security Team.