Meeting Summary - 01/09/2025 ROS Meeting - Webex Only

▶️ 0 - Validation for ROS Standing Representatives - Suzy Clifton

▶️ 1 - Antitrust Admonition - Suzy Clifton

▶️ 2 - Election of 2025 ROS Chair and Vice Chair - Vote - Suzy Clifton

• Introduced newly seated representatives: Tony Kroskey (Brazos), Shane Thomas (Shell), Justin Cockrell (DC Energy), and Dinesh Ramachandran (NG Renewables Energy Marketing).
• Chase Smith nominated Katie Rich from Vistra Energy for ROS 2025 Chair.
• Katie Rich accepted the nomination.
• No additional nominations for Chair were received, so Katie Rich was elected as ROS 2025 Chair by acclamation.
• Eithar Nashawati nominated Sandeep Borkar with LCRA for ROS 2025 Vice Chair.
• Sandeep Borkar accepted the nomination.
• No additional nominations for Vice Chair were received, so Sandeep Borkar was elected as ROS 2025 Vice Chair.

▶️ 3 - Agenda Review - ROS Leadership

▶️ 4 - Approval of ROS Meeting Minutes - Possible Vote - ROS Leadership

• Motion to approve as submitted the November 7, 2024 Meeting Minutes added to the combo ballot. 
• Motion to approve as submitted the December 5, 2024 Meeting Minutes added to the combo ballot. 

▶️ 5 - ERCOT Reports

▶️ 5.1 - Operations Report - Freddie Garcia

• ERCOT's November 2024 unofficial peak demand was recorded at 60,170 megawatts, an increase of 3,635 megawatts from November 2023.
• Three OCNs were issued in November: one for a topology change in the Panhandle IROL region, and two anticipating possible future emergency conditions.
• A new PVGR penetration record of 44.17% was set on November 20th at 14:55.
• Inconsistencies were identified in the largest net load ramp table for 2016-2020, which have now been corrected.
• Freddie Garcia confirmed there were no reliability risks associated with the new PVGR penetration record, and generation was sufficient to meet demand.

▶️ 5.2 - System Planning Report - Ping Yan

• All ERCOT end-of-year reports have been posted on the ERCOT website.
• Reports include:
• Constraints and Needs Report
• Regional Transmission Plan Report
• Long Term System Assessment Report
• Grid Reliability and Resilience Assessment Report
• ERCOT will hold an EHV 765 workshop on January 27th to discuss the 765 plan.
• The new Grid Reliability and Resilience Assessment Report is a requirement from Senate Bill 1281, and ERCOT is required to perform this assessment every other year.
• The assessment studied two extreme weather scenarios:
• A winter peak scenario similar to the 2021 Uri storm
• A Category 5 hurricane scenario hitting Houston
• Findings suggest that transmission enhancements are needed to reduce load loss and prevent system cascading events.
• For the winter peak scenario, ERCOT found a need to enhance import paths to Central Texas and between South Dallas and Central Texas.
• For the hurricane scenario, substation hardening is crucial in reducing the impact on the Texas grid and consumers.
• Ping Yan suggested that results could be further discussed in the January RPG meeting.

▶️ 6 - ROS Revision Requests - Vote - ROS Leadership

• The discussion for agenda item number 6 was combined with item number 7.

▶️ 6.1 - NOGRR271, Related to NPRR1257, Limit on Amount of RRS a Resource can Provide Using Primary Frequency Response - Possible Vote

• Motion to endorse and forward to TAC the 12/5/2024 ROS Report and 10/21/24 Impact Analysis for NOGRR271 added to the combo ballot.
• IA identified as having no cost and no impact.

▶️ 6.2 - NOGRR273, Related to NPRR1264, Creation of a New Energy Attribute Certificate Program

• Motion to table NOGRR273 added to the combo ballot.

▶️ 6.3 - PGRR123, Related to NPRR1264, Creation of a New Energy Attribute Certificate Program

• Motion to table PGRR123 added to the combo ballot.

▶️ 6.4 - RRGRR038, Related to NPRR1264, Creation of a New Energy Attribute Certificate Program

• Motion to table RRGRR038 added to the combo ballot.
• NPRR1264 aims to expand the existing energy attribute certificate program to include more participants.
• WMS voted to table all their items and suggested evaluating NPRR1264 and related revision requests in detail.
• There is a suggestion to let WMS work on the program design before reviewing for reliability concerns.

▶️ 7 - NPRR1264, Creation of a New Energy Attribute Certificate Program - Possible Vote - ROS Leadership

• Motion to request PRS to table NPRR1264 added to the combo ballot.
• Introduction of NPRR1264 as a new certificate program replacing the traditional REC program.
• One revision request related to NPRR1264 remains tabled.
• Discussion of various working groups: OWG, NDSWG, PLWG, DWG, IBRWG.
• Combo ballot mentioned, indicating grouped non-voting items.
• Consideration of leadership appointments for working groups, with some positions already filled.

▶️ 8 - Revision Requests Tabled at PRS and Referred to ROS - Possible Vote - ROS Leadership

▶️ 8.1 - NPRR1229, Real-Time Constraint Management Plan Energy Payment

• The decision is to leave NPRR1229 tabled to see what happens when it exits WMWG.

▶️ 9 - Revision Requests Tabled at ROS - Possible Vote - ROS Leadership

• Agenda item 9 is a long-standing tabled item.
• No questions were raised regarding this agenda item.

▶️ 10 - Operations Working Group - OWG - Rickey Floyd

▶️ 10.2 - NPRR1238, Voluntary Registration of Loads with Curtailable Load Capabilities - OWG - Possible Vote

• Close to finalizing; expect to file comments in 2 to 3 weeks.
• Collaboration with Golden Spread mentioned.
• OWG meeting scheduled for Monday; expect comments on NPRR1238 during this meeting.

▶️ 10.3 - NOGRR265, Related to NPRR1238, Voluntary Registration of Loads with Curtailable Load Capabilities - OWG - Possible Vote

• A quick status update was provided on NOGRR265.
• NOGRR265 is related to NPRR1238 concerning voluntary registration of loads with curtailable load capabilities.
• The topic was discussed by the Operating Working Group (OWG).
• There is potential for a vote on the matter.

▶️ 11 - Network Data Support Working Group - NDSWG - Gerardo Escamilla

▶️ 11.1 - NPRR1234, Interconnection Requirements for Large Loads and Modeling Standards for Loads 25 MW or Greater - NDSWG - Possible Vote

11-ndswg_report_to_ros_010925.pdf

• Highlighted an ongoing discussion about the defined term for "transmission service bus" proposed in NPRR1234.
• The defined term is primarily relevant to PGRR115 and may require additional comments for modification or removal.
• Comments on PGRR115 are expected to be filed within 1–2 weeks.
• Suggestion to keep NPRR1234 tabled for one more month.

▶️ 12 - Planning Working Group - PLWG - Dylan Preas

12-planning-working-group-report_01092025.pdf

• Mina Turner was nominated as PLWG chair for 2025, currently vice chair for 2024.
• Kristin Cook was nominated as vice chair, noted for active participation in PLWG.

▶️ 12.1 - PGRR115, Related to NPRR1234, Interconnection Requirements for Large Loads and Modeling Standards for Loads 25 MW or Greater - PLWG - Possible Vote

• In December, comments and discussions focused on disconnecting large industrial loads and establishing stability and steady screening thresholds.
• There was talk about including criteria for a standalone 1,000 MW load interconnection.
• PLWG decided to table the discussion for additional follow-up at the January meeting due to ongoing discussions and the need for responses to comments.

▶️ 12.2 - PGRR119, Stability Constraint Modeling Assumptions in the Regional Transmission Plan - PLWG - Possible Vote

• The item was taken back from the last ROS for further comments from joint commenters.
• ERCOT will collaborate with joint commenters to refine the language of the item.
• The discussion on this item was tabled pending further discussion in January.

▶️ 12.3 - PGRR120, SSO Prevention for Generator Interconnection - PLWG - DWG - Possible Vote

• Southern Power submitted comments on the proposal.
• Proposed addition: Allowing existing generation resources to modify interconnection to a series compensated line if SSO is mitigated.
• ERCOT requested more time to review comments.
• The item was tabled for further discussion in January.

▶️ 12.4 - PGRR122, Reliability Performance Criteria for Loss of Load - DWG - PLWG - Possible Vote

• Introduction of PGRR122, which adds planning criteria to limit the total loss of load to less than 1000 megawatts under ERCOT and NERC reliability criteria.
• Discussion on including NERC P6 standards and potential overlap with events defined in PGRR115.
• The PLWG tabled PGRR122 for further discussion in January.
• Tracking of NERC standards CIP-013 and TPL-008 which affect planners.
• An ongoing action item to review and revise the use of 'load' in the planning guide for alignment with protocol section 2, continuing in planning working group meetings.

▶️ 13 - Dynamics Working Group - DWG - Paul Koberlein.

13-dwg-report-to-ros-january-2025.pdf

• Concerns were raised about the current language of PGRR122, specifically regarding ownership responsibilities.
• Issues were identified around TSPs potentially being unable to fulfill required duties due to ownership complications.
• The group decided to table PGRR122 for further review.

▶️ 13.1 - NOGRR272, Advanced Grid Support Requirements for Inverter-Based ESRs - DWG - IBRWG - Possible Vote

• Discussion to continue in February on PGRR121 and NOGRR272 due to the need for a more detailed review.
• Potential PGRR for SSWG case security was presented, feedback will be provided.
• Texas RE completed the 2024 case quality metrics assessment with improvements in some metrics; recommendations left for focus areas.
• Opposition to PGRR120 was noted; further discussion planned to address concerns.
• Potential update to SSR study scope guidelines to be discussed in the next meeting.
• Flat start case development update nearly complete, targeting approval by January 2025.
• Modeling and stability discussions progressing with suggestions being solicited for comments.
• 2025 DWG meeting schedule posted on the DWG landing page.

▶️ 13.2 - PGRR121, Related to NOGRR272, Advanced Grid Support Requirements for Inverter-Based ESRs - DWG - IBRWG - Possible Vote

• Fred Huang from ERCOT discussed NOGRR272 and PGRR121, focusing on large amounts of IVRs on the grid and stability challenges.
• Talked about solutions for stability issues, including synchronous condensers and inverter-based resources.
• Discussed the development of advanced grid support capabilities for batteries with benefit studies beginning in 2023.
• Mentioned NERC's two white papers on grid forming technology and specifications for grid forming batteries.
• ERCOT is working on a testing framework with engaged electronics to adopt this technology, forming the basis for NOGRR and PGRR.
• Outlined benefits of grid forming technology such as transient dynamic voltage and frequency response improvements.
• ERCOT noted no additional hardware or overload capacity is required for these requirements, fitting within planned equipment ratings.
• No energy market dispatch changes are required under the current proposals.
• NOGRR provides a high-level requirement definition, while PGRR adds modeling details.
• ERCOT is working on a DWG procedure manual update to include the testing framework, anticipating discussion in February.
• All tests are simulation-based with no envisioned physical commissioning tests.
• Implementation timelines are flexible, with ERCOT working with stakeholders on reasonable dates.
• Some projects in weak grid areas are adopting advanced grid support capabilities before official approval.
• Fred Huang provided a global update on grid forming capabilities with examples from other system operators and manufacturers.
• Discussion included procurement strategies, e.g., Hawaii's competitive RFP process for grid forming batteries.
• Inertia markets were mentioned; ERCOT sees stable inertia levels, with benefits seen in weak grid scenarios.
• Michael Jewell raised timelines issues comparing European and proposed ERCOT timelines.
• Manufacturers will be invited to present on their advanced grid forming capabilities and related challenges.
• Coordination between IBRWG and DWG was discussed with testing frameworks and procedure manual updates in progress.

Next Steps

• Continuing to discuss and refine PGRR and NOGRR requirements at IBRWG meetings.
• Inviting manufacturers for discussion on January 17th on capabilities and limitations.
• Coordinating a DWG and IBRWG session in February for further testing framework review.

▶️ 14 - Inverter Based Resources Working Group - IBRWG - Julia Matevosyan

14-ibrwg-report-to-ros-010925.pdf

• Leadership: Julia Matevosyan and Miguel Cova Acosta agreed to serve another year as chair and vice-chair respectively.
• NERC Updates: NERC projects, part of FERC order 901 related to IVR performance and monitoring, have been submitted before the deadline fulfilling milestone 2.
• Current and Upcoming NERC Projects: Projects are moving towards milestone 3, focusing on modeling, including EMT modeling. A technical conference is scheduled for January 15th-16th.
• TRE SAR for BAL-001-TRE: Clarifying roles and PFR performance for batteries. Does not address deep core payments and wind generation performance.
• ERCOT's IVR Category 2: Resources of 20-75 MW must register with NERC by May 2025-2026.
• NERC Level 2 IVR Modeling Alert: NERC has received and analyzed responses. TRE will present findings at the January IBRWG meeting.

▶️ 15 - Combo Ballot - Vote - ROS Leadership

• Motion to approve combo ballot passed unanimously with no abstentions

▶️ 16 - Black Start Working Group - BSWG - Michael Dieringer

• A meeting took place in December for the group.
• The next meeting is anticipated around March.

▶️ 17 - Steady State Working Group - SSWG - William Robertson

17-sswg-report-to-ros-1-9-2025.pdf

• Finalized the 2025 SSWG calendar; meetings available on the SSWG landing page.
• TPIT report posted on January 24th under MIS.
• Starting 2025 SSWG case building process this month, with preparation beginning next week.
• Expected publishing date for the first case build is in June.
• This is the second year cases will be in the node breaker format.

▶️ 18 - Operations Training Working Group - OTWG - Manuel Sanchez

18-january_otwg_updates.pdf

• ERCOT has closed agreements with a new vendor provider for the operator certification exam, transitioning from a previous vendor.
• The new testing platform will be fully remote using local proctors.
• Communication and training will be provided for exam facilitation.
• ERCOT operations training group will undergo training to familiarize with the new platform.
• 2024 in-person Black Start seminar was successfully completed.
• ERCOT completed CEH processing for market participants who completed training.
• A computer-based Black Start training will be released by ERCOT's learning center.
• The operations training seminar schedule is in progress with tentative dates identified.
• A pilot session is planned for presenters to facilitate class schedules.
• No emergency training is scheduled for this year's operations training seminar.

▶️ 19 - Other Business - ROS Leadership

▶️ 19.1 - 2025 ROS Goals

19-2024-ros-goals-tac-approved-03272024.pdf

• Review of ROS goals is anticipated to align with TAC decisions.
• Participants were advised to prepare thoughts on ROS goals for the February meeting.
• Upcoming discussion on ROS working group leadership for the current year.

▶️ 19.2 - 2025 ROS Working Group Leadership

• Participants reminded to submit nominees for chair and vice chair positions.
• A formal email was sent by Suzy Clifton for responses regarding leadership nominations.
• Aim to complete the leadership table to identify any open seats.
• Reminder to have materials prepared and reviewed before the ROS meeting.

▶️ 19.3 - Review Open Action Items List

• Suzy Clifton updated the items; some require confirmation to be removed.
• Updates discussed in the NDSWG handbook; still under review.
• PLWG provided an update on their progress.
• Susana Hildebrand to present on EPA issues at the January 30th WWG meeting.
• EEA2 event item removed; parking lot item KTC 15.15 Black Start Service remains.
• Approval process described for removing items upon TAC confirmation.
• Meetings scheduled through August and Webex conflicts noted.
• Chase Smith raised questions about NOGRR245 implementation; ERCOT's Agee Springer provided expected timelines for information release and workshop scheduling.
• Discussion on RFI results for PUN issue; Fred Huang provided a status update.

▶️ 20 - Adjourn - ROS Leadership