The Planning Committee voted March 7 to require new generators to pay for the installation of phasor measurement units (PMUs), rejecting an alternate proposal to have PJM cover the cost.

Reason for change: PMU data can enhance grid reliability for both real-time operations and planning applications (e.g., generation dynamic model calibration and validation, primary frequency response, oscillation monitoring and detection). PJM expects to receive PMU data from 82 substations by the end of 2013 but has none located at generation stations.

Impact: The Interconnection Service Agreement will be changed to require installation of PMUs at new interconnections for generators with nameplate ratings of 100MVA or larger.  Data collected by the PMU must be transmitted to PJM continuously and stored locally for 30 days.

A proposal to bill generators for the capital costs was approved 87-27 with eight abstentions. The alternate proposal — for PJM to recover the cost through the administrative fee paid by members using PJM market or reliability services — was rejected 26-86-11.

PJM will cover the cost of the communication links in the system.

The proposal moves next to the Markets and Reliability Committee.