The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has released new voluntary guidance focused on large load challenges.
Recent developments in emerging large loads and their integration into the bulk power system have introduced new BPS reliability risks, NERC said in the guidance document, which was released on May 4.
Some of these risks, like customer-initiated load reduction (CILR) events and large load oscillation events, have been clearly demonstrated and observed, NERC said.
“These events can transpire in a matter of seconds, leaving real-time operators little to no time to respond. Additionally, planners anticipate long-term risks related to transmission planning and resource adequacy. While these risks are not yet fully realized, they require proactive planning to mitigate,” NERC said.
The reliability guideline details specific risk mitigations recommended for applicable entities to address risks outlined in prior Large Load Working Group white papers, NERC said.
“This preliminary reliability guideline provides actionable BPS reliability-enhancing guidance for existing NERC registered entities as well as large load entities and their original equipment manufacturers (OEM),” NERC said.
Reliable integration of emerging large loads “is not only essential for protecting the BPS but also to accommodate additional large loads faster. When interconnection and operational processes are structured to ensure reliability from the outset, emerging large loads can connect faster and in greater magnitude,” the document said.
Although the guidance is voluntary and non-binding, NERC recommends that applicable entities implement the crucial risk mitigating actions and processes offered in the paper.
NERC noted it is updating its registry criteria and reliability standards to account for the needs associated with large loads, “and these guidelines provide key information while the regulatory process moves forward.”
Implementing these guidelines can lead to enhanced system resilience, reduced outage risks, and more efficient interconnection processes, it said.
“This guideline will also present future revisions to reliability standards. Thus, the guidance in this paper is intended to supplement, rather than replace, any existing or new reliability standards.”
Reliability guidelines are reviewed and updated at least every three years in accordance with the NERC Reliability and Security Technical Committee Charter and may be updated earlier in response to comments or lessons learned.
“This guideline recognizes that owners and operators of end-use facilities and equipment were not historically required to be as active in practices and processes that ensure BPS reliability,” NERC said.
However, due to the scale and urgency of the risks to BPS reliability, it is strongly recommended that large load entity users of the BPS (if they are not already doing so) participate actively in practices and processes that enhance BPS reliability, it added.
Large load entities are encouraged to participate in NERC task forces, webinars, comment periods, and the NERC Standards process to contribute their unique perspectives, NERC said.
"The LLWG values the participation of large load entities in its task force and the resulting wholistic work products. Recommended risk mitigations are targeted at existing NERC registered entities as well as large load entities. Large load entities may include large load facility owners and operators. This guidance also extends to OEMs that create equipment used in large load facilities, such as IT equipment, IT cooling infrastructure, and other electronic devices."
High-level recommendations with mapping to recommended entities are provided in Appendix A of the document.
