Meeting Summary - 04/17/2025 Resource Entity and TSP Summer Weather Preparedness Workshop

▶️3 - Welcome Note 

• Welcome and gratitude expressed to attendees for their work.
• Reference to past winter storm experiences and the importance of preparation.
• Emphasis on collaboration and sharing best practices and lessons learned.
• Encouragement to improve and ensure reliable service for Texas consumers.

▶️4 - Weatherization Update

• Acknowledgment and appreciation for efforts in maintaining system reliability during extreme weather conditions.
• Since the implementation of weather emergency preparedness, there have been improvements in system reliability and a decrease in outages during severe weather.
• Data analysis shows improvement in reliability, though some efficiencies are still needed.
• Regular inspections of TSP and resource facilities have been conducted, with numbers exceeding required rates.
• Significant focus on critical resources during peak demand times, highlighting the thin reserve margins, especially in the evenings when solar energy decreases.
• Increased demand recorded year after year during winter; the importance of reliable resources like gas, coal, and nuclear during peak load times.
• Positive trend in compliance levels, though some market participants still face challenges in responding promptly to inspection notices.
• Requests for market participants to update their contact information and respond promptly to inspection notices.
• Portal launched for declarations of weather preparedness, with first-year anniversary approaching in May 2025.
• Encouragement for market participants to stay informed through various communication platforms, including social media and a mobile app.
• Open invitation for questions during the presentation to facilitate clear communication and understanding.

▶️5 - Updating the ERCOT Outage Scheduler During Cold Weather Events

• The presentation covered updates to the ERCOT outage scheduler, particularly during cold weather events.
• The outage scheduler is a tool used by ERCOT to inform system operators of potential issues impacting system operation.
• Timely communication of plant outages, transmission problems, and related issues is critical through the outage scheduler.
• It is important to update the outage scheduler with accurate and detailed information, especially regarding the nature of work and reasons for outages.
• Specific examples were shared illustrating the difference between vague and helpful outage report entries.
• There are 35 categories for resources and 31 for TSPs in the software; changes to these are difficult due to software constraints.
• Emphasizing the importance of detailed explanations in the notes and nature of work areas within the outage scheduler.
• Slides from the presentation will be posted online with necessary corrections.
• The importance of updating information within two hours after an outage ends was highlighted.

▶️6 - Webpage Updates and Compliance Reminders

• Announcement of recent webpage updates: ERCOT's webpage updates may break previous bookmarks due to rerouting. Webpages for summer and winter weather readiness have been moved under a new 'resiliency' category.
• New webpage features: Introduction of inspection checklists and critical components lists. Checklists serve as a quick reference. Critical components lists are sample lists, not mandatory or exhaustive.
• Submission reminders: Declaration submission window from May 1 to June 2 due to June 1 falling on a Sunday.
• Portal guidance: The portal includes a user guide in the training section, and knowledge base articles that are updated for the next season. New resources have specific submission instructions.
• Appendix A details: Compliance reminders for completing required fields, utilizing comments, and understanding the 'submit' function as a 'save' feature within Appendix A.
• Problem resolution: If submission errors occur, ERCOT can cancel and reopen for revisions.
• Resource declaration guidance: New resources ready for declaration can be submitted, even if commissioning isn’t fully completed.
• Support options: Reminders to use WhatsApp for questions and responses are expected to be fast and thorough.
• Submission confirmations: Users can confirm submissions through the portal themselves or request assistance for confirmation.
• Audience Q&A session addressed concerns regarding attachment submissions and handling of unit-specific data, with guidance to reach out directly to ERCOT staff.

7 - Generation Resource Spotlight:

▶️7.1 - Summer Weatherization Preparedness Training

• Reviewed PUCT rule 25.55 regarding summer weatherization awareness training.
• Highlighted continuous preparedness through short-term actions adding up over the year.
• Emphasized reliability options and equipment preparedness for extreme and normal weather conditions.
• Identified the importance of critical component inspection and weather health and safety precautions for personnel compliance.
• Acknowledged cooperation on winter weather inspections and the positive feedback received.
• Discussed preventive measures for maintaining transformer systems during hot weather, including fan operation and debris clearance.
• Explained the need for clear radiators and sensors for cooling computerized equipment.
• Outlined the importance of summer motorization inventory and having essential safety gear on site.
• Detailed pre-summer checklist activities to be completed by mid-May, ensuring emergency contacts are updated and accurate.
• Explained written event checklist for extreme weather advisories and the importance of communication within facilities.
• Stressed the review of emergency response plans for personnel before the summer season.
• Outlined the policy change requiring annual procedure review and attestation of training.
• Feedback mechanism for presentations to ensure compliance and improvement.

8 - BREAK

9 - Industry Spotlight

▶️9.1 - Hot Temperatures while enduring Sustained Operations

• Overview of PUC rule 25.55, specifically section f2b, requiring TSP entities to ensure facilities can operate under maximum ambient temperatures defined by ERCOT's weather model.
• Entities must provide evidence their critical components have sustained operations at specified temperature levels or exceeded historical temperature maximums.
• Identification of hot weather zones using ERCOT weather zones map to determine maximum temperature standards.
• Clarification that facilities must meet or exceed historical maximum temperatures they're designed for.
• Case study of Bandera Electric Co-op demonstrating compliance by documenting critical operations during high temperatures.
• Information about adapting to ERCOT weather study results and forthcoming cold weatherization preparedness.
• Providing outage logs for hot weather critical components as part of compliance.
• Discussion on handling new stations without historical temperature data, needing to adhere to predefined ERCOT temperature standards.
• Successful compliance of Bandera Electric Co-op's facilities with no findings from ERCOT inspections.

 ▶️10 - Generation Entity and Transmission Service Provider Summer Inspection Checklists

• Inspection schedule for 2025: June 3 - September 30, avoiding major holidays unless necessary.
• Checklist requirements for generation entities to be completed by June 1 and maintained throughout summer.
• Inspection requirements for water supply management, legal rights to water, and storage facilities.
• Verification of cooling capacity and derating due to water challenges with engineering evaluations.
• Documentation for portable cooling equipment and its readiness for critical components during hot weather.
• Maintenance and verification of functionality for hot weather critical components to be conducted monthly.
• Focus on additional measures for entities experiencing higher temperatures than historical averages.
• The need for a written and understandable staffing plan and annual review of personnel training.
• Importance of maintaining a hot weather critical components list and documentation for inspection.
• Communication on cure periods for deficiencies not resolved within 72 hours during inspections.
• Best practices highlight effective documentation and communication for smoother inspection processes.

▶️11 - 2025 Preliminary Summer Weather Outlook

• The summer forecast will be finalized and available on the ERCOT website by May.
• Last year was the warmest year on record for Texas, surpassing previous records set in 2023.
• Texas has experienced increasingly frequent hot summers during the positive phase of the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation (AMO).
• Currently, Texas is experiencing a neutral El Nino/La Nina phase, with a possibility of returning to La Nina later in the year.
• Preliminary thoughts indicate the 2025 summer could be hotter than the previous year, potentially rivaling 2011 and 2023 as one of the hottest summers on record.
• Drought conditions appear worse this year compared to the same time last year, increasing the likelihood of a hot summer.
• ERCOT's analogs suggest support for a hotter summer, with a probability of ranking in the top five hottest summers.
• Rainfall is expected to be below normal this summer, with a significant chance of drought conditions persisting or worsening.
• The Atlantic Ocean's temperature is slightly cooler compared to last year, but the Gulf of Mexico remains warm, suggesting potential hurricane activity.
• The forecast for hurricane activity suggests a medium confidence in an above-average season, but likely less active than the previous year.
• Wind forecasts indicate potential for strong winds in West Texas, South Texas, and the coast, particularly during the hottest part of the summer.
• Overall, the ERCOT summer outlook calls for above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall, with the finalized report to be available in May.

▶️12 - Questions

• A reminder was given that the historical weather study is updated every five years.
• A concern was raised regarding the hot summer of 2023 and the potential for future hot summers.
• Discussion on the importance of preparatory activities to ensure sufficient power generation during extreme weather conditions.
• Commentary highlighted the potential benefits of increased wind during hot periods in helping with power generation.
• Acknowledgement and appreciation expressed to those contributing to ERCOT's reliability during extreme weather.
• Final comments concluded the summer weatherization workshop, with thanks expressed to participants and a reminder to continue safe practices.