Electric Power System Reliability -2016

First Edition

William H. Smith, P.E.

Powersmiths International is recognized by the North American Electric Reliability
Corporation as a continuing education provider that adheres to NERC Continuing
Education Program Criteria.

Cover design and creation by Rondee Mikolajczak, Milwaukee, WI

Cover Photo by Linda K. Smith, Marietta, GA

Contents

Preface v

Introduction 1

Standards Development and Monetary Penalties10

Chapter 1. Resource and Demand Balancing19

NERC Standards BAL-001, 003, 004, 005, 006

Chapter 2. Voltage Control and Reactive Power45

NERC Standard VAR-001, 002

Chapter 3. Power System Disturbance and Contingency Response61

NERC Standard BAL-002

Chapter 4.Reliability Operating Limits and Reliability Coordination71

NERC Standards IRO-004, 005, TOP-004, 007, 008

IRO-001, 002, 003,008, 009, 010, 014, 015, 016, FAC-011,014

Chapter 5.Transmission Congestion93

NERC Standards IRO-006,

FAC- 008, 013, MOD-001, 004, 008

Chapter 6.Emergency Operations 119

NERC Standards EOP-001 thru 004, 008, 010

Chapter 7.Power System Restoration 147

NERC Standards EOP-005, 006

Chapter 8.Transmission System Operations 189

NERC Standards TOP-001, 002, 003, 005, 006

PRC-001, 004 thru 011, 015 thru 019, 021 thru 025

Chapter 9.Interchange 237

NERC Standards INT-004, 006, 009, 010, 011

Chapter 10.Transmission Planning 257

NERC Standards MOD-010, 012,016-021,025-032

TPL-001, FAC-010

Chapter 11.Cyber Infrastructure 275

NERC Standards CIP-002 thru 009, 014

Chapter 12.Communications 295

NERC Standards COM-001, 002

Chapter 13.Personnel Performance, Training and Qualifications 303

NERC Standards PER-001 thru 005

Chapter 14.Facilities Design, Connections and Maintenance 313

NERC Standards FAC-001, 002, 003

Chapter 15.Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination-NUC-001 321

Chapter 16.Power System Stability 325

Chapter 17.Power System Simulation 331

Answers to Questions 337

About the Author 338

Preface

Electric Power System Reliability-2016 is designed to serve as an aid for those preparing for the NERC System Operator Certification exams and those seeking to familiarize themselves with the power system fundamentals necessary to fully understand and properly implement the NERC Reliability Standards.

“Electric Power System Reliability-2006” was first offered in July, 2006. It was popular and served its purpose. “EPSR-2007” was an updated version of the 2006 book including the new and revised NERC Standards on which the July, 2007 NERC exams were to be based and some new questions to promote understanding. The new NERC exams were delayed and ultimately implemented in July, 2008.

NERC implemented new System Operator Certification Exams in 2012. The
exams went live in February, 2012. The exams were based on the NERC Reliability
Standards effective October 1, 2011

The NERC System Operator Certification Exams were again updated and implemented in January, 2015 and test on the most current NERC Standards as applicable; particularly the NERC Glossary of Terms and the BAL, COM, EOP, INT, IRO, TOP, VAR Standards.

This 2016 First Edition is an update to the 2015 First Edition. It includes lessons learned from recently taking the NERC RC exam. It is revised to include Standards approved by FERC that become effective during 2016. The presentation of the Standards highlights those considered to be most important in preparing for the NERC exam and those which have the greatest impact on system reliability.

As always, we will present the Standards in the context of power system fundamentals, the understanding of which is required to properly implement those Standards.

The NERC Approved Reliability Standards are organized into fourteen topical blocks on the NERC website:

BAL—Resource and Demand Balancing

CIP—Critical Infrastructure Protection

COM—Communications

EOP—Emergency Preparedness and Operations

FAC—Facilities Design, Connections and Maintenance

INT—Interchange Scheduling and Coordination

IRO—Interconnection Reliability Operations and Coordination

MOD—Modeling, Data, and Analysis

NUC—Nuclear

PER—Personnel Performance, Training and Qualifications

PRC—Protection and Control

TOP—Transmission Operations

TPL—Transmission Planning

VAR—Voltage and Reactive

This book is organized in seventeen chapters each addressing a fundamental of Power System Reliability. Rather than present the Reliability Standards strictly in the NERC alphabetic Standards blocks, the Standards are presented in the context of the appropriate power system fundamentals. This organization is designed to provide the technical information required to understand the Standards and provide relevance and perspective to highlight the purpose of each Standard or group of Standards. This presentation format is designed to frame each group of standards so that information can be more easily assimilated and retained by electric power system operating personnel.

Each chapter is designed around a fundamental of Power System Reliability and its associated NERC Standards. Background information is presented to explain the purpose, intent and technical relevance of the Standards in that group. Key requirements of the Standards are summarized. Finally, any remaining requirements from the Standards group are presented for completeness.

This book is not intended as a complete and comprehensive representation of the NERC Reliability Standards. Power system professionals should continue to consult the NERC web site and other NERC publications for a comprehensive and current statement of the NERC Reliability Standards and their requirements, measures and compliance levels.

Chapter 13 contains a description of the details of the NERC System Operator exams and the process for registering for those exams. Those individuals preparing for the exam may want to turn there first.

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