On December 10, 2024, NERC’s Board of Trustees approved standard TPL-008-1 Transmission System Planning Performance Requirements for Extreme Temperature Events. The petition to approve the TPL-008-1 standard was filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on December 17, 2024 and will initiate the implementation plan upon final approval.
TPL-008-1 Development Background
In 2023 FERC directed NERC to develop a new Reliability Standard or modifications to Reliability Standard TPL-001-5.1 that would address concerns pertaining to transmission system planning for extreme heat and extreme cold temperature events that included:
- The development of benchmark planning cases based on major prior extreme heat and cold weather events and/or meteorological projections.
- Planning for extreme heat and cold weather events using steady-state and transient stability analyses expanded to cover a range of extreme weather scenarios including the expected resource mix’s availability during extreme heat and cold weather conditions, and the wide-area impacts of extreme heat and cold weather.
- Development of corrective action plans that mitigate instances where performance requirements are not met for extreme heat and cold weather events.
New Requirements Proposed
Reliability Standard TPL-008-1 focuses on improving how Planning Coordinators and Transmission Planners prepare for the potential reliability performance impacts of extreme heat and extreme cold temperature events on the reliable operation of the Bulk-Power System.
It consists of 11 requirements, calling for the performance of periodic studies assessing the wide-area impacts of extreme heat and extreme cold temperature events on the Bulk-Power System. These periodic studies are referred to as “Extreme Temperature Assessments” which will become a defined term in the NERC Glossary of Terms.
Extreme Temperature Assessment – Documented evaluation of future Bulk Electric System performance for extreme heat and extreme cold benchmark temperature events.
Proposed Reliability Standard TPL-008-1 requires entities in a planning zone, a region defined in Attachment 1 to the standard, to coordinate with each other on the development of Extreme Temperature Assessments. The need for Extreme Temperature Assessments will be a NERC Standard Requirement once TPL-008-1 is approved and the standard is fully implemented. Planning Coordinators and Transmission Planners should prepare to incorporate Extreme Temperature Assessments into their planning and power system studies.
If the required experience for conducting the assessments is not in house, a third-party such as TRC is more than equipped with the expertise to do so on your behalf. The new definition identifies Weather Zones to provide guidance regarding the extent of the weather assessments and geographical areas where collaboration is expected.
The proposed standard includes several key requirements.
- It addresses the need for coordination among planning entities.
- It establishes guidelines for creating consistent benchmark temperature events and planning scenarios based on those benchmark temperatures.
- It outlines requirements for conducting both steady-state and transient stability analyses, including sensitivity cases.
The Standard mandates that planning entities develop Corrective Action Plans in specific situations where system performance does not meet the mandated requirements.
The Planning entities are also required to share their Corrective Action Plans with other relevant organizations that have a need for reliability information, as well as with the applicable regulatory authorities or governing bodies responsible for retail service issues in their respective jurisdictions.
TPL-008-1 addresses a reliability gap in the currently effective transmission planning Reliability Standards, is responsive to the FERC directives in Order No. 896 and would advance the reliability of the Bulk-Power System by improving how utilities plan for the impact of extreme temperature events on their systems.
Implementation Plan
The implementation of various requirements in the standard will be initiated by the FERC approval order and the publication of the order in the Federal Register as shown in the following graphic:
Next Steps
NERC has filed the proposed standard with FERC. The standard will become effective, and its implementation plan initiated with FERC approval.
Resources
NERC Petition to FERC Requesting Approval of TPL-008-1
About TRC’s Power System Studies and NERC Compliance Practice
TRC’s approach to power system development and operation balances solutions that incorporate appropriate standards, regulatory requirements, best practices and operational goals and budgets. Our work for public and private sector utility clients is a testament to our understanding of NERC compliance related aspects of your business. Our successful application of technology solutions in a constantly evolving business and regulatory landscape will provide you with confidence regarding your power system compliance programs. Our power system experts help you stay ahead of changing regulatory expectations because they stay engaged with the regulatory process and know how to plan, design and install programs that address your financial, technical and scheduling goals including compliance with changing NERC standards and guidelines as well as industry “best practices” and the latest technology developments.
This regulatory update is a service to TRC’s utility clients, helping keep you informed of issues that impact your company’s electric system security risks along with related topics regarding future regulatory developments to help you achieve your company’s business goals.
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