Commonwealth Edison briefed the Operating Committee on the removal of three special protection schemes (SPS):

• An SPS designed to prevent low voltage on the Wolfs Crossing-Sandwich 138-kV line (#14302) is no longer needed because of a new TSS 167 Plano 345/138-kV autotransformer and 138-kV buses. Before reinforcement, an open breaker at TSS 143 Wolfs Crossing made L14302 radial, causing low voltage. The new autotransformer provides an alternate source for L14302. The SPS will be removed after a briefing of the Markets and Reliability Committee July 31.
• The Waukegan SPS will be removed in the fourth quarter of 2014 when the bus tie 4-14 circuit breaker is removed. The SPS was initiated to prevent low voltage or transmission-line overloads in case of the loss of a 138-kV line concurrent with an outage at Unit 16 of the Waukegan coal-fired plant. It is triggered when Waukegan units 7 or 8 trip off line. The protection won’t be needed after the addition of two 345/138-kV autotransformers and connection of four 345-kV lines to the generating plant, which will provide redundancy.
• The Zion Energy Center SPS will be removed in summer 2015 as the result of a new 345-kV line from Pleasant Prairie (PLPL41). The SPS was initiated to address the instability of the Zion generator for certain faults cleared in delayed time. An analysis determined that the generator will remain stable with the new line.

PJM Seeks Feedback on Website Usability

PJM is seeking volunteers to provide feedback on how it can improve the PJM.com website. In the recent member survey, PJM received numerous complaints that the website was “overwhelming” and “confusing,” and that information was difficult to find.

To address the complaints, PJM plans to conduct confidential interviews via WebEx with members who use the Markets & Operations section of the website. The interviews will not cover PJM’s tools (e.g., eMKT).

PJM’s Tom Zadlo promised any changes will not disrupt data “scraping” feeds companies have developed to automate data collection. “We know we can’t break what’s out there,” he said.

Those interested in participating should contact Melissa Visintin (Melissa.visintin@pjm.com; 610-666-4426).

PJM to Change Reactive Testing to Incorporate NERC Rules

PJM will change its reactive testing procedures to accommodate the North American Electric Reliability Corp.’s new MOD-025-2 reliability standard. The new rules will result in changes to attachment E of Manual 14D, which will be brought before stakeholders beginning in August. Among the changes, individual generators of more than 20 MW connected to the bulk electric system will now be tested (down from a threshold of 70 MW). All hydropower units will also be required to do testing.

PJM’s Dave Schweizer, who gave the OC a preview of the changes, said PJM’s rules will be at least as conservative as the NERC standards.