Operating Reserves

ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Reliability Council (NYSRC) Executive Committee on Friday indicated that the council’s Installed Capacity Subcommittee may increase the amount of 10-minute reserve assumptions from 350 MW to 400 MW in the next installed reserve margin (IRM) determination.

The NYSRC annually re-evaluates the state’s IRM and operating reserves requirements. NYISO’s summer net load variability, which used a new loss-of-load expectation window based on recently approved capacity accreditation requirements, was higher in some zones.

Inverter-based Resources Standard

The NYSRC received several questions and comments on its proposed rule establishing minimum requirements for inverter-based resources (IBRs) over 20 MW.

According to the NYSRC, the feedback will be reviewed to determine what changes, if any, should be made to the draft rule; if changes are made, it is likely the draft will be reposted for additional comments. The length of the posting and comment period will depend on the changes proposed. The council will publicly note if the comment period is reopened.

PRR-151 would establish standards for IBRs, as NYISO presently has no specific interconnection criteria for these resources. (See “Inverter-based Resources Standard,” NYISO Operating Committee Briefs: April 20, 2023.)

Stakeholder comments range from general questions on language, to more procedural or technical concerns about implementation, cost and new requirements.

The range of comments “reinforces that this a serious issue that we need to work through,” committee Chair Chris Wentlent said. He said he thought that New York “appears a bit ahead of our neighboring jurisdictions on implementation,” referring to a panel at the Independent Power Producers of New York’s Spring Conference last week that he participated in with PJM and ISO-NE staff. (See IPPNY Panelists Urge Collaboration, Coordination in Transition.)

Cap and Invest

Wentlent told attendees that the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) confirmed it would be taking the lead in implementing the state’s cap-and-invest program and plans to have draft regulations completed by the end of this year. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will assist.

Most details of the program have not been determined or announced by the DEC, but based on details in the state’s approved budget, it would charge companies for their carbon emissions to pay for clean energy projects and low-income utility payment assistance via an auction of credits. (See NY Budget Plan Details Cap-and-invest Proposal.)

Wentlent said he learned about the DEC’s intentions during a recent meeting he attended with it, the Department of Public Service and several other relevant agencies. He said that “realistically, [we’re] probably looking at a 2025 time frame” for the program to be implemented.