The Operating Committee approved the following with little debate or opposition:

Transmission Owner Data Feed

Members agreed to Operating Agreement and manual changes to make it easier for transmission owners to access real-time generator data. The changes are intended to improve situational awareness and emergency response.

The Operating Agreement was revised to include a universal non-disclosure agreement, eliminating the need for a separate data confidentiality agreement.

Transmission owners will be able to obtain data from generators in their zone without justification. For generators outside its zone, the TO must confirm that the plant is in the current TO energy management system (EMS) model or will be included in an expanded model. (See Members to Consider Easier Sharing of Real-Time Generator Data.)

Manual 1: Control Center and Data Exchange Requirements

Members approved changes to Manual 1 to comply with a revised reliability standard given preliminary approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last month. COM-002-4 (Operating Personnel Communications Protocols) requires the use of a three-part communications process when issuing operating instructions. (See FERC Backs NERC, NAESB Standards.)

TO/TOP Matrix

Members approved version 8 of the Transmission Owner/Operator Matrix, an index between PJM manuals and NERC reliability standards.

Non-Voting Items

Eastern Interface Changes

The Eastern Transfer Interface definition will be revised, and its import capability increased, with the completion of the Susquehanna-Roseland 500-kV project.

The definition, currently comprised of five paths, will be expanded to include the Lackawanna-Hopatcong line. The new definition will change the distribution factors for some generators and increase import capability to the east.

The revision won’t have an impact until the Lackawanna-Hopatcong line goes in service. Completion of the line is expected about June 2015.

Warren Pricing Interface Expanded

PJM has added the Four Mile Junction-Corry East 115-kV line to the definition of the Warren pricing interface. The interface was created last month to set LMPs when operators take actions to address voltage issues in the Warren, Pa., area. The Warren interface, which is within the larger Seneca interface created in February, is effective until further notice.

Renewable Integration Study Recommendations

Members of the Intermittent Resources Task Force compiled a to-do list for the RTO as a result of the PJM Renewable Integration Study. The study found that PJM could get 30% of its generation capacity from wind and solar power without harming reliability but that coal and combined-cycle generators would face reduced run times and lower energy prices. (See Renewables Study Has Bad News for Coal, Gas Generators.)

PJM’s consultant on the study identified seven recommendations and topics for future study, but a survey of task force members indicated interest in pursuing only three. They would like PJM to:

• Explore the reasons for ramping constraints on specific units and identify methods for improving performance. This would require approval of a problem statement.
• Consider the impact of reduced energy market revenues for conventional generators in future capacity market discussions.
• Investigate how wind and solar plants could contribute to frequency response. The Planning Committee last week approved an initiative on this issue based on the recommendation of its Enhanced Inverter subgroup. (See related story in Planning Committee Briefs.)