| (iii) Confirmation of the operability of power transformers
and auto transformers in winter weather emergencies by:
(I) Inspecting heaters in the control cabinets;
(II) Verification that main tank oil levels are appropriate
for actual oil temperature;
(III) Inspecting bushing oil levels;
(IV) Inspecting the nitrogen pressure, if necessary;
and
(V) Verification of proper oil quality such that moisture
and dissolved gases are within acceptable ranges for winter weather
conditions.
(B) Beginning in 2023, implement weather emergency
preparation measures by December 1 each year, in addition to the weather
emergency preparation measures required by subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph, that could reasonably be expected to ensure the sustained
operation of the TSP's transmission facilities at the 95th percentile
minimum average 72-hour wind chill temperature reported in ERCOT's
historical weather study, required under subsection (i) of this section,
for the weather zone in which the facility is located.
(C) Review the adequacy of staffing plans to be used
during a winter weather emergency and revise the staffing plans, as
appropriate.
(D) Train relevant operational personnel on winter
weather preparations and operations.
(E) Beginning in 2023, create a list of all cold weather
critical components, review the list at least annually prior to the
beginning of the winter season, and update the list as necessary.
(2) Summer season preparations. By June 1 each year,
a TSP must complete the following summer weather preparation measures
for its transmission facilities. A TSP must maintain these measures
throughout the summer season and complete any ongoing, monthly, or
regular requirements at the appropriate time. If necessary to come
into compliance, a TSP must update its summer weather preparation
measures no later than one year after ERCOT files a historical weather
study report under subsection (i) of this section.
(A) Implement weather emergency preparation measures
that could reasonably be expected to ensure the sustained operation
of all hot weather critical components during summer weather conditions.
Where appropriate, such measures may be implemented using either personnel
or automated systems. Such measures include, as appropriate for the
facility:
(i) Inspecting transformer cooling systems prior to
and on a monthly basis during the summer season;
(ii) Cleaning transformer cooling systems prior to
and on a regular basis during the summer season;
(iii) Verifying proper functioning of cooling fans
and pump controls;
(iv) Arrange and provide for the availability of sufficient
chemicals, coolants, and other materials necessary for sustained operations
during a summer weather emergency; and
(v) Confirmation that sufficient chemicals, coolants,
and other materials necessary for sustained operations during a summer
weather emergency are protected from heat and drought.
(B) Beginning in 2023, implement weather emergency
preparation measures by June 1 each year, in addition to the weather
emergency preparation measures required by subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph on, that could reasonably be expected to ensure the sustained
operation of the TSP's transmission facilities during the greater
of the maximum ambient temperature at which the facility has experienced
sustained operations or the 95th percentile maximum average 72-hour
temperature reported in ERCOT's historical weather study, required
under subsection (i) of this section, for the weather zone in which
the facility is located.
(C) Review the adequacy of staffing plans to be used
during a summer weather emergency and revise the staffing plans, as
appropriate.
(D) Train relevant operational personnel on summer
weather preparations and operations.
(E) Beginning in 2023, create a list of all hot weather
critical components, review the list at least annually prior to the
beginning of the summer season, and update the list as necessary.
(3) Declaration of preparedness. A TSP must submit
to ERCOT, on a form prescribed by ERCOT, the following declarations
of weather preparedness:
(A) No earlier than November 1 and no later than December
1 of each year, a TSP must submit a declaration of winter weather
preparedness for the upcoming winter season that:
(i) Identifies each transmission substation or switchyard
maintained by the TSP for which the declaration is being submitted;
(ii) Summarizes all activities engaged in by the TSP
to complete the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection for
the upcoming winter season,
(iii) Provides the minimum ambient temperature at which
each transmission facility has experienced sustained operations, as
measured at the substation or switchyard or the weather station nearest
to the substation or switchyard;
(iv) Includes any additional information required by
the ERCOT protocols in effect as of October 1 of the year in which
the declaration is submitted; and
(v) Includes a notarized attestation sworn to by the
TSP's highest-ranking representative, official, or officer with binding
authority over the TSP, attesting to the completion of all activities
described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, except activities required
to be completed after December 1, and to the accuracy and veracity
of the information described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
(B) No earlier than May 1 and no later than June 1
of each year, a TSP must submit a declaration of summer weather preparedness
for the upcoming summer season that at a minimum:
(i) Identifies each transmission substation or switchyard
maintained by the TSP for which the declaration is being submitted;
(ii) Summarizes all activities engaged in by the TSP
to complete the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection;
(iii) Provides maximum ambient temperature at which
each transmission facility has experienced sustained operations, as
measured at the substation or switchyard or the weather station nearest
to the substation or switchyard;
(iv) Includes any additional information required by
the ERCOT protocols in effect as of April 1 of the year in which the
declaration is submitted; and
(v) Includes a notarized attestation sworn to by the
TSP's highest-ranking representative, official, or officer with binding
authority over the TSP attesting to the completion of all activities
described in paragraph (2) of this subsection, except activities required
to be completed after June 1, and to the accuracy and veracity of
the information described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph.
(4) No later than December 20 of each year, ERCOT must
file with the commission a compliance report that addresses whether
each TSP has submitted the declaration of winter weather preparedness
required by paragraph (3)(A) of this subsection for each transmission
substation or switchyard maintained by the TSP.
(5) No later than June 20 of each year, ERCOT must
file with the commission a compliance report that addresses whether
each TSP has submitted the declaration of summer weather preparedness
required by paragraph (3)(B) of this subsection for each transmission
substation or switchyard maintained by the TSP.
(6) ERCOT will treat declarations of preparedness and
associated information submitted by a TSP as Protected Information
as defined by the ERCOT protocols.
(g) ERCOT inspections of transmission facilities.
(1) ERCOT must conduct inspections of transmission
facilities and may prioritize inspections based on factors such as
the length of time since the transmission facility was last inspected;
whether a transmission facility is critical for electric grid reliability;
has experienced a forced outage or other failure related to weather
emergency conditions; or has other vulnerabilities related to weather
emergency conditions. ERCOT must determine, in consultation with commission
staff, the number, extent, and content of inspections, as well as
develop a risk-based methodology for selecting at least ten percent
of substations or switchyards providing transmission service to be
inspected at least once every three years. ERCOT must develop, in
consultation with commission staff, a winter weather inspection checklist
and a summer weather inspection checklist for use during facility
inspections. Inspections may be conducted by ERCOT's employees or
contractors.
(A) ERCOT must provide each TSP at least 72 hours'
written notice of an inspection unless otherwise agreed by the TSP
and ERCOT. The written notice must identify each ERCOT employee, commission
staff member, or designated contractor participating in the inspection.
Within 24 hours of receiving notice of inspection, a TSP must provide
ERCOT, commission staff, and designated contractors all TSP requirements
for facility access. Upon provision of the required written notice,
a TSP must grant access to its Cont'd... |
