VAR Testing of Generators providing Service

under Section II of the ISO-NE Tariff

(Schedule 2 - VARs)

VAR WG – 06/16/05

Aleks Mitreski

Generator VAR Testing

• Background of the Program

• Compensation Eligibility

• Timeframe

• Preparation Steps

• Correct Configuration and Data Collection

• Failure to Conduct a Test - What Happens? (Waivers)

• Local Control Center (LCC) and ISO-NE Contacts

• Supporting Documents

Background Information

• Validates basis for generator compensation for Capacity Cost (CC) under Schedule 2

• Program started in August 2001

• VAR testing is only for single point lagging capability

• Schedule 2 and the Reactive Supply and Voltage Control from Generation Sources Service Business Procedure state that the VAR demonstration test will include multi-point (MW output) tests of both lagging and leading VAR capability in 2008.

Compensation Eligibility

• Generator must be in the ISO-NE Market

• Generator must have a valid NX-12D form (OP14) and NX-9B database (OP16) on file with the ISO-NE

• VAR compensation requires RC approval

• Compensation pursuant to Schedule 2 and the Reactive Supply and Voltage Control from Generation Sources Service Business Procedure

Generator Testing

• VAR testing period June 1st – September 15th (On peak hours 07:00 –23:00)

• All generators must perform an initial single point full lagging VAR demonstration test

• New generators eligible for exemption from a demonstration test, not to exceed two Summer-Seasonal Claimed Capability (S-SCC) Audit periods following the date of commercial operation

• After the initial test, the generator must test every 5 years

• In the event of overhaul or any other factors potentially impacting the reactive capability of the generator, a new test will be required within 120 days

• Starting with 2008, a multi-point (MW output) test of both lagging and leading VAR capability will be required

Generator Testing - Preparation

• Generator must submit a completed Reactive Test Request Form to the LCC at least 5 days in advance– Reactive Test Request Form:

http://www.iso-ne.com/Generator_VAR_Capability/2%29_Forms/Reactive_Test_Request_%20Form_2004.doc

• At discretion of ISO-NE and the LCC, shorter request times may be accepted

• Approval/denial of request will be issued 48 hours prior to 00:01 of the day of the test

• If denied, an explanation and suggestion for more appropriate timing will be provided

Generator Testing – Preparation

• If request approved – the generator must contact the LCC for final permission to ramp VAR output

• Voltage dispatch received from the LCC

• VAR test requires that generator be at S-SCC output for at least 60 consecutive minutes– Generator obligation to submit offers to the ISO-NE markets that

will allow for S-SCC dispatch– Self-Scheduling of generator will help to ensure dispatch to S-

SCC for required duration as well as cover market position– Convenient to run VAR test at the same time as S-SCC test

Generator Testing – Data

• Even if VAR testing, all dispatch instructions from the LCC must be followed

• Following the test, generator completes test form “Reactive Capability Test Data Recording Form” with 5-minute values of generator, step-up transformer and station data– VARs delivered to high side of the generator step-up (GSU) are

eligible for compensation

• If full S-SCC can not be sustained for 60-minutes, the test will be canceled– A new testing request and VAR test is required

Generator Testing - Configuration

Generator

GeneratorBus

TransmissionBus

GeneratorStep Up Transformer

(GSU)

Auxiliary Load(Station Service)

1 2 3

4

Configuration #1

Generator Testing - Configuration

Generator

GeneratorBus

TransmissionBus

GeneratorStep Up Transformer

(GSU)

Auxiliary Load(Station Service)

5 6 7

8

Configuration #2

Generator Testing - Success

• Generator must be at the S-SCC MW output for at least 60 consecutive minutes– The average VAR achieved over the test will determine the

qualified payment

• After completion of testing:– LCC must be contacted– “Reactive Capability Test Data Recording Form” must be

submitted no later than 2 days after the completion of the test

Generator Testing – Data Recording Form

Generator Testing - Success

• Data reviewed by ISO-NE (EMS data)– Discrepancies discussed with Generator– Revised NX-12D form may be required

• Final values are entered by ISO-NE for VAR settlement

• Reminder - if any factor impacts reactive capability (e.g., overhaul), generator must perform new VAR test within 120 days

Generator Testing - Waivers

• Generators may request a waiver

• LCCs or ISO-NE may identify conditions that qualify for a waiver

• Evaluation of generator waiver requests will identify cases where a waiver applies:– Non-Dispatchable Base Load Generators

• Certain limited-dispatch generators (e.g., Nuclear) are exempt from multi-point lagging and leading tests.

• Following initial single point test, will only need only re-demonstrate at a single point maximum lagging and leading capability at five-year intervals.

–  Contingency Conditions• Certain limited situations in which a generator would not be allowed to

conduct a reactive demonstration test at the level that the generator could legitimately deliver because of concerns regarding system reliability.

Generator Testing – Waivers cont.

• Small Generators – Small generators that would be very difficult to monitor in real-time

(because of limited reactive and voltage metering in the general area) yet are capable of contributing to local voltage support may be exempt from VAR testing.  Eligible Capability will then be based on the data submitted through the NX-12D forms and NX-9B data.

• Daily Hydro Facilities – Due to their limited storage capability and dependency on river flow, Daily

Hydro Facilities are allowed to achieve the VAR curve data supplied in the NX-12D corresponding with the MW level tested (which doesn’t have to be its S-SCC) but this may cause its NX-12D curve to be adjusted. 

• New Generators– Are eligible for exemption from a demonstration test, not to exceed two S-

SCC Audit periods following the date of commercial operation

After the Testing Period

The ISO will monitor all requests for a test

– After September 15th, ISO will evaluate each Generator’s status in the program.

– Generators that satisfied test requirements (through demonstration, historical data or waiver) will be established in the program for five years.

– Generators that attempted a test on several occasions, yet through circumstances beyond their control (system conditions or LCC/ISO limitations) were unable to complete a test, will continue to be compensated based on the NX-12D and NX9B data submitted until they demonstrate during the next Audit Season.

Local Control CenterContact Info

• CONVEXTransmission Coordinator Tel 860-665-4943

Fax 860-665-6610

• MaineControl Room Supervisor Tel 207-626-9884

Fax 207-621-6522

• New HampshireSystem Ops. Cord. Tel 603-634-3586

Fax 603-634-3571

• REMVECOperations Tel 508-389-2241

Fax 508-389-3910

ISO-NE Contact Info

Mailing Address: Email: mvarcaptest@iso-ne.com

ISO New England Fax: 413-535-4343

One Sullivan Rd Phone: 413-535-4367

Holyoke, MA 01040 Attn: Aleks Mitreski

• Aleks Mitreski (Process): 413-535-4367; amitreski@iso-ne.com

• Sima Bykhovskaya (Studies): 413-535-4195; sbykhovskaya@iso-ne.com

Supporting Documents

• ISO-NE Open Access Transmission Tariff - Schedule 2. http://www.iso-ne.com/FERC/filings/tariff/

• Reactive Supply and Voltage Control From Generation Sources Service Business Procedure http://www.iso-ne.com/Generator_VAR_Capability/1%29_Procedures/Schedu

le_2_VAR_Billing_Procedure_SMD.doc

• Reactive Capability Demonstration Web Site http://www.iso-ne.com/Generator_VAR_Capability

Summary of VAR Testing

• Testing period June 1st – Sept 15th (On peak Hours 07-23)• Single point full lagging capability testing• Must coordinate with Local Control Centers• Submit Testing Request Form at least 5 days in advance• During testing must be at S-SCC for 60 minutes• After testing submit results within 2 days• To receive compensation generator must be approved by the

RC• Testing is every 5 years, waivers may be received/applied• A multi point lagging and leading test will start in 2008

Questions / Additional Discussion