You may have noticed the new name on the masthead at the top of this page.
We’ve made it official. Under threat of ruinous litigation by PJM, we have reluctantly agreed to change our name to RTO Insider. Over the next few months we’ll also be transitioning to a new web address, RTOInsider.com.
We’ll have more to say about this matter soon. The story will make you angry — and make you laugh. Right now, however, we’re still working out a settlement to get PJM’s foot off our throat.
What we can tell you now is that the name change won’t mean any difference in the depth or independence of our coverage: same intensive coverage, less contentious name.
We also want to emphasize the positives. Our readership and Web traffic continue to grow steadily. To improve response time, we will be moving our website to a faster, dedicated server. And we plan to roll out expanded coverage of the industry and the PJM region later this year.
So great things are ahead. R.I.P. PJM Insider. Long live RTO Insider.
We remain: Your eyes and ears at the PJM Interconnection.
The Members Committee Thursday endorsed Tariff revisions requiring new generators to pay for the installation and maintenance of phasor measurement units (PMUs). PJM will pay for the communication link with the PMUs, which provide data that helps PJM in real-time operations and system planning.
The Interconnection Service Agreement will be changed to require installation of PMUs at new interconnections for generators with nameplate ratings of 100MVA or larger. The changes were approved over the objections of generators, with a 71% sector-weighted vote.
Susan Bruce, an attorney who represents industrial energy users, won approval for a problem statement that could result in requirements that transmission owners make tariff filings disclosing their calculation of total hourly energy obligations, peak load contributions, and network service peak loads. The calculations are used to allocate energy, capacity, and transmission cost responsibility among load serving entities.
The problem statement alleges that many of PJM’s transmission owners have failed to file tariffs disclosing the methodology they use to make their calculations, in violation of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rules.
State Concerns
“A lot of these issues are state issues governed by our supplier tariff,” said John Brodbeck, of Pepco Holdings Inc. “We have a concern if this results in a PJM standard. That means we have to go back to four statehouses and change our supplier tariff.”
Bruce acknowledged “it’s a tricky issue” but said her intent was not to create a PJM standard.
The problem statement, which was assigned to MRC, was approved with two objections and one abstention. Members said the Transmission Owners Agreement-Administrative Committee is scheduled to discuss the issue at its next meeting July 8.
The Markets and Reliability Committee Thursday approved corrections to errors inserted in Schedule 1 of the PJM Operating Agreement and Attachment K of the Tariff in 2008 and 2009.
One correction will clarify how deviations occurring within one zone are associated with PJM’s Eastern or Western region for purposes of Operating Reserve charges.
The other will insert a cross reference to tie language concerning forgiveness of positive demand deviations to the shortage pricing “trigger.”
PJM will suspend its Day Ahead market if it loses Internet service under a contingency plan given approved Thursday.
PJM’s Tariff and Operating Agreement do not specify procedures for responding to an extraordinary event, such as an Internet failure, that disables the RTO’s eMKT application.
Under the tariff changes approved by the Markets and Reliability Committee, all market settlements would be done in real time in such circumstances.
The plan assumes that PJM’s internal processes are working but that eMKT and other Internet-based services are not functioning. Generator dispatch may be based on the most recent offers received by PJM before the loss of the web.
The deadlines established for clearing the day-ahead market do not apply if PJM is unable to obtain market participant bid/offer data due to extraordinary circumstances. All settlements, including Financial Transmission Right target allocations, will be based on real-time quantities and prices.
If the day-ahead market does not clear, the rebid period — typically from 4 to 6 PM — is cancelled. If day-ahead clearing is significantly delayed, PJM may establish a revised bidding period.
Extraordinary circumstances are defined as “a technical malfunction that limits, prohibits or otherwise interferes with the ability of the Office of the Interconnection to obtain Market Participant bid/offer data prior to 11:59 p.m. on the day before the affected Operating Day.”
The tariff changes were approved without objection. However, Marji Philips, RTO services director of Hess Corp., said stakeholders may need to consider additional protections to ensure load serving entities aren’t forced to pay for power that doesn’t flow under a blackout ruled a Force Majeure event.
With no load to supply, generation could buy back its commitment at no cost, Philips said, while the load might be forced to pay for the power it scheduled.
“If you schedule 5,000 MW day-ahead you could be wiped out,” she said. Phillips said she hopes to make a presentation on the issue at a future meeting of the Market Implementation Committee.
New Jersey regulators approved a $25.5 million annual increase in Atlantic City Electric Co.’s base distribution rates and recovery of $70 million costs for recovery following the June 2012 Derecho and Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.
Capital costs of $44.2 million were included in the rate base while deferred operation and maintenance expenses of $25.8 million will be amortized over three years.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced its approval of a settlement signed by the utility, the Division of Rate Counsel and intervenors including Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. on June 21.
The company’s $25.5 million base rate increase, which excludes sales and use tax, is based on a return on equity of 9.75%. The new rates will cost residential customers using 1,000 KWh per month $4.44, a 2.8% increase. The changes took effect July 1.
The company, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (PHI), had sought a base rate hike of almost $70 million. Because of the lower increase, the company said it will reduce its capital expenditures by about $150 million through 2015, a cut of 30%.
The New Jersey legislature voted last week to urge state utility regulators to support development of an offshore transmission “backbone” to deliver wind power and relieve transmission congestion.
The Senate approved a resolution supporting the New Jersey Energy Link (SCR 159) 24-12 on Thursday, after an identical measure (ACR 197) passed the Assembly 58-18 on June 24.
The resolution asks the state Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to request that PJM include the project in its Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP) with an assumed capacity of 1,000 to 3,000 MW.
Map of Proposed New Jersey Energy Link (Source: Atlantic Wind Connection)
The measure outlines a four-stage process leading to commencement of construction in 2016 and urges BPU to sign a contract allowing the project developer, Atlantic Grid Development, LLC, to recover future development costs from ratepayers. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would be asked to modify a 2011 order so that ratepayers are not liable for any costs incurred before June 28 if the project is abandoned for reasons beyond the developers’ control.
The resolution also calls for a study by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority of the “economic activity, tax revenue growth, job creation [and] pollution reduction.”
The New Jersey Energy Link is the northernmost section of the Atlantic Wind Connection, which could transport wind from offshore turbines as far south as Virginia.
The developers say the project will create about 2,000 jobs, including 500 or more in the Delaware River port of Paulsboro, where they plan to build offshore converter platforms.
Atlantic Grid said four wind developers — Apex Wind Energy, EDF Renewable Energy, Fishermen’s Energy and OffshoreMW, LLC – have endorsed the project as the most efficient means to deliver the state’s offshore wind.
The developers say the undersea transmission also will help relieve transmission congestion when the wind isn’t blowing, allowing North Jersey to access cheaper power.
Atlantic Grid CEO Bob Mitchell has said approval of the legislation is “crucial” to getting the project built.
Stefanie Brand, director of the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel, could not be reached for comment yesterday. She said previously that the line should not be considered until there is offshore generation for it to service, saying there are likely cheaper solutions to North Jersey’s transmission congestion. A BPU spokesman did not immediately reply to requests for comment yesterday.
New Jersey lawmakers approved legislation in 2010 committing the state to purchase 1,100 MW of offshore wind by 2020. But the only project proposed to date, a 25-MW pilot off Atlantic City, has been unable to win approval from state ratemakers to date.
Ron Binz – Consultant & FERC Nominee (Source – Public Policy Consulting)
President Obama last week tapped former Colorado utility regulator Ron Binz to replace outgoing FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff.
Who is he? A Democrat, Binz served as chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission from 2007 through 2011, during which he drew praise from renewable energy advocates, opposition from the coal industry and criticism for his travel practices. He joined the PUC after serving as head of the state Office of Consumer Counsel from 1984 to 1995.
What is he likely to do at FERC?
Here are some clues: In a 2012 article he co-wrote for an electricity policy journal, Binz called for a new regulatory compact, saying that current utility regulation is “cumbersome … overly judicial and confrontational.” As a result, he wrote, it “provides limited motivation for utilities to innovate, diversify to manage risks, or undertake new efficiencies.”
The electric utility industry, he said, is in the midst of “what may be the most uncertain, complex and risky period in its history” due to large investment needs, stricter environmental controls, decarbonization, changing energy economics, new technologies and reduced load growth.
Will he face trouble winning Senate confirmation? He shouldn’t count on the votes of coal-state senators. But his support from industry and even some Colorado Republicans suggest he’ll survive, barring some unforeseen revelations. One potential snag: Obama has appointed him to not only join the commission but to immediately become chairman, a departure from past practice.
Dual Role
As is the case at FERC, the Colorado PUC served both a judicial and policy-making role. Binz saw the PUC’s role as “not simply as an umpire calling balls and strikes, but also as a leader on policy implementation” he said in an interview with a demand response group.
In that role, Binz participated in the drafting of Colorado’s Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act which offered utilities incentives for replacing coal-fired power plants with natural gas. Binz later rejected requests that he recuse himself from PUC cases implementing the law.
The bill, which was opposed by both the coal industry and independent power producers, led to the retirement of six coal-fired generators, the addition of pollution controls at two others and the construction of new gas generation at a cost of about $1 billion, according to the Denver Post.
Frequent Flyer
Binz also generated controversy for his frequent travel, spending 200 days at conferences during his tenure. In an apparent reference to Binz, a report by the state auditor said one unnamed commissioner was traveling so often that it was “difficult for division staff to meet with him and ensure his preparedness for meetings and hearings.”
In 2011, the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission found he had violated state travel policy by accepting free travel to speak at an industry conference in Houston. The panel declined to fine him, however, saying he did not personally benefit.
Binz was unapologetic about his travel, telling an interviewer that utility regulators and staffs “need much greater access to educational resources: publications, conferences [and] seminars” to prepare for emerging issues and not be “only reactive.”
Since leaving the PUC, Binz has worked with a Colorado renewable energy institute and run a consulting firm with clients including homebuilders, trade associations and environmental and consumer groups.
Industry Reaction
Binz’ nomination won praise from executives at Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., NextEra Energy Inc., Xcel Energy Inc. and the American Wind Energy Association.
NextEra CEO Jim Robo called Binz “a superb choice,” saying he “recognizes the need for diversity in the U.S. electricity supply and understands our country needs smart policies to modernize the grid to match up with today’s changing energy mix.”
Public Service Enterprise Group Chairman Ralph Izzo called Binz “a strong and timely choice.
“In Colorado, he showed a willingness to work with diverse groups and elected officials of both parties to develop and implement commonsense legislation,” Izzo said.
(Source FERC)
He also received an endorsement from former Colorado House Speaker Lola Spradley, a Republican, who said his “expertise and leadership proved critical to advance a balanced approach in Colorado.”
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, ranking Republican on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued a statement that was noncommittal on Binz’ qualifications but skeptical of Obama’s plan to elevate him immediately to chairman.
Murkowski said she “strongly believes that each of the commissioners, and especially the chair, must have and maintain a judicial temperament and must demonstrate a record for balance and a scrupulous regard for the law and the rules. It is noteworthy that in recent decades it has been rare to elevate the newest member of the commission directly to chairman. Under the law, FERC’s chair is responsible for setting the agenda and managing the agency.”
The last five chairmen served a median of 30 months before becoming chair. Only one, Patrick H. Wood III, served less than a year on the panel before his promotion.
The Markets and Reliability Committee Thursday approved changes to the way PJM determines beneficiaries of market efficiency transmission projects.
MRC also changed the way PJM planners add generation in market efficiency simulations and revised the definition of production costs to include cross border purchases and sales.
The changes, which were approved without opposition, were developed by the Regional Planning Process Task Force to align modeling and beneficiary determinations with the revised cost allocation formula approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in PJM’s Order 1000 compliance filing.
PJM uses an hourly unit commitment dispatch simulation to measure savings in production costs and load payments over 15 years.
Under the change approved by MRC (Package 10), benefits of regional projects will be calculated on a 50/50 ratio based on its impact on production costs and net load payments (energy benefits) or impact on capacity costs and net capacity payments (capacity benefits). (See chart)
Benefits of local, low-voltage projects will be determined entirely on the change in net load or capacity payments for zones that experience decreases.
Under the previous method for both regional and local projects, 70% of benefits were calculated based on production or capacity cost savings, with the remainder based on change in net load or capacity payments.
Generation Expansion
MRC also changed the way PJM adds generation in market efficiency simulations. Comparing forecasted load against forecasted generation typically results in a shortfall in the Installed Reserve Margin (IRM) in the later years of the 15-year horizon.
Under current procedures, PJM scales existing generation units to assume supply will grow to meet the forecasted IRM. Active generation queue projects that are not part of the unit specific plan — existing PJM units as well as units that have an executed Interconnection Service Agreement (ISA) — can impact the location and type of generation scaled.
Under the new procedure, PJM planners will include all generation projects with executed ISAs or Facility Study Agreements (FSA). Existing units will be scaled based on location and technology to meet the reserve requirement. Planners also will include transmission upgrades for congestion that arise from scaling assumptions.
Cost Allocation and Benefit Determination – Market Efficiency Projects in PJM
Production Cost Definition
The current definition of production costs limits market efficiency simulations to purchases and sales within PJM, ignoring cross-border transactions.
Under the new definition, PJM will include costs for purchases from selected regions and lines outside PJM as well as sales outside PJM. Purchases will be valued at the load weighted LMP and sales will be valued at the generation weighted LMP.
If given final approval by the Members Committee, the changes will be effective in the 24-month market efficiency cycle beginning in January 2014.
The Markets and Reliability Committee Thursday approved changes to Manuals 11 and 14D, while the Members Committee approved changes to Manual 15.
Manual 11: Energy & Ancillary Services
Reason for changes: Clarifications, error corrections and changes to conform to other manuals.
Impact:
The changes:
Clarify and add conforming language for regulation rules:
Resources cannot clear for both RegA and RegD within an operating hour (Section 3.2.9)
Changes language to conform to M12. Regulation resources must return to their regulation range within 10 minutes of the end of a synchronized reserve event (Section 4.2.12). The current language calls for a return within two minutes.
Clarify hydropower units’ opportunity cost when providing synchronized reserve:
Hydro units providing Tier 2 synchronized reserve receive lost opportunity cost payments only when they are held to condense mode rather than off-line. (Section 4.2.7)
Corrects and clarifies Attachment C regarding cost offers and station manning:
Removes language stating that a resource can submit only five cost offers for energy. The actual limit is “in the 60s,” said Rus Ogborn of PJM.
Clarifies the compensation rules that apply when PJM requests generators be manned in order to start units more quickly. Units required to provide staffing will be compensated even if the resource is not called on because system conditions change.
Clarifies and cleans up revisions for Shortage Pricing rules. Changes were made to clarify existing rules and remove errors in the current text.
PJM contact: Rus Ogborn
Manual 14D: Generation Operational Requirements
Reason for changes: Conforming to other manuals; revised NERC standard; updated information and addition of wind unit dispatchability checklist.
Impact:
Multiple sections revised to replace outdated references.
Section 7.1.1, Generator Real-Power Control: Revised for consistency with M-36.
Section 7.1.3, Notification to PJM for Reactive Power Resource Status during Unit Start-up: revised to reflect changes in NERC Standard VAR-002-2b, R1, effective July 1.
Section 7.3, Critical Information and Reporting Requirements: Added references to PJM peak period maintenance season and changed notification time from 30 minutes to 20 minutes for consistency with section 7.4.
Section 7.4 Synchronization and Disconnection Procedures: Revised to include notification times for synchronizing and disconnecting generators from the system.
Section 8, Wind Farms Requirements: Revised to include references to Attachments L & M.
Attachment H, PJM Generation and Transmission Interconnection Planning Process Flow Diagram, revised for consistency with Manual M-14A/C.
Attachment M, Wind Unit Dispatchability Check List: New attachment.
PJM contact: Dave Schweizer
Manual 15: Cost Development
Reason for changes: Manual 15 was not revised to include information regarding cost-based offers when PJM made changes to the regulation market.
Impact: Information on cost-based offers is being moved into Manual 15 from Manual 11.
Section 2.8: Insert regulation cost offer component bucketing from M11 sub-section 3.2.1 and update regulation cost offer calculation example.
