APPLICABILITY: Reliability Coordinator (RC) I. Purpose The purpose of this is three-fold: To define the manner in which the geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) space weather notifications are disseminated, To facilitate the coordination of Transmission Operator (TOP) GMD Operating Procedures or Operating Processes, and To describe activities designed to mitigate the effects of GMD events on the reliable operation of the interconnected transmission system within the Peak RC Area. By NERC Standard, only TOPs with a TOP Area that includes a power transformer with a high side wye-grounded winding with terminal voltage greater than 200 kv are required to have GMD mitigation s or Operating Processes. II. Introduction GMDs are capable of causing serious disruption to electric power systems, especially in the northern United States and Canada. Approximately one to four days after a solar flare or other eruption on the Sun, a coronal mass ejection (CME) can be created. A CME is a cloud of solar material and magnetic fields and is occasionally Earth-directed. When CMEs reach Earth, they buffet the Earth s magnetic field which can result in a GMD. GMDs create geomagnetically-induced currents (GIC) which can cause significant problems for the power grid. The strength of the GIC depends on ground conductivity and proximity to the current source. Typically, high latitudes are more prone to be effected by GICs, however, severe GMDs can reach the central and southern portions of the United States. III. Space Weather Notifications Determining that a GMD is significant enough to warrant the initiation of special operating procedures depends on the geographical location of the power system facilities in question coincident with the GMD forecast. The amount of advance notice factors heavily into what specific actions can and should be taken. The Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) located in Boulder, Colorado provides real-time monitoring and forecasting of solar and geophysical events. Peak subscribes to the SWPC forecasting service and disseminates space weather warnings, watches and alerts to its TOPs to ensure coordination and consistent awareness within the RC Area. Classification: Public Page 1 of 9 Effective Date: January 8, 2019
SWPC GMD messages: Are issued in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Mountain Standard Time is UTC minus 7 hours. For example, 1000 UTC converts to 0300 MST. Are valid for the time period listed in the notification unless extended, upgraded or cancelled. Contain statements regarding induced currents. This statement will list potential power grid effects due to the GMD event. Provide a potential impact location. The impact location is expressed in geomagnetic latitude which is analogous to geographic latitude, except that the bearing is with respect to the magnetic poles as opposed to the geographic poles.. IV. SWPC Notification Types A. Watches (Typically issued with a 1-3 day lead time) SWPC Watches are issued when the highest predicted K-index for a day is K = 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 and are reported in terms of the NOAA G-scale as follows: Classification: Public Page 2 of 9 Effective Date: January 8, 2019
Watches are long-lead-time predictions of the expected trend in geomagnetic activity. The highest expected K-index for a calendar day determines the watch level. Each issued watch supersedes all previous watches. Sample SWPC Watch Notification: From: SWPC Product Subscription Service [mailto:swpc.products@noaa.gov] Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2014 5:50 AM Subject: WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G2 Predicted Space Weather Message Code: WATA30 Serial Number: 113 Issue Time: 2014 Aug 27 1242 UTC WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G2 Predicted Highest Storm Level Predicted by Day: Aug 28: G2 (Moderate) Aug 29: None (Below G1) Aug 30: None (Below G1) THIS SUPERSEDES ANY/ALL PRIOR WATCHES IN EFFECT NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 55 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Power grid fluctuations can occur. High-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms. Spacecraft - Satellite orientation irregularities may occur; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites is possible. Radio - HF (high frequency) radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes. Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state. B. Warnings (Typically issued 15-60 minutes before the storm and updated during the storm) Warnings are issued and/or extended for any period with expected values of K=4, 5, 6, 7, >7 and are issued under two conditions: Expected onset of geomagnetic activity Expected persistence of geomagnetic activity Classification: Public Page 3 of 9 Effective Date: January 8, 2019
The K-index warning includes the G-scale as well as a specific indication of what condition (onset or persistence) applies to the warning. The warning period is expressed in terms of a valid from time through a valid to time. If a GMD Warning extends beyond the initial warning period, SWPC will send out an extended warning notification. Extended warnings have the same valid from time as the original warning but carry a revised now valid until time. Additionally, the extended warning condition will be changed from onset to persistent to identify that the condition is the result of persistent space weather conditions. Sample SWPC Warning Notification: From: SWPC Product Subscription Service [mailto:swpc.products@noaa.gov] Sent: Friday, August 29, 2014 3:56 AM Subject: WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 (G1) Space Weather Message Code: WARK05 Serial Number: 910 Issue Time: 2014 Aug 29 1050 UTC WARNING: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected Valid From: 2014 Aug 29 1050 UTC Valid To: 2014 Aug 29 1400 UTC Warning Condition: Onset NOAA Scale: G1 - Minor NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Weak power grid fluctuations can occur. Spacecraft - Minor impact on satellite operations possible. Aurora - Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, i.e., northern tier of the U.S. such as northern Michigan and Maine. C. Alerts (Typically issued for current conditions and updated as K-index thresholds are crossed) Alerts for K-index values of 4 through 9 are issued in near real-time based on NOAA s realtime estimate of the K index. Lower value K-index alerts (4 and 5) are only issued contingent on whether an active warning for that threshold is in effect. Higher value K-index alerts (6, 7, 8, or 9) will have one alert issued for each and every period in which they occur, regardless of whether an active warning for those thresholds is presently in effect. Classification: Public Page 4 of 9 Effective Date: January 8, 2019
Sample SWPC Alert Notification: From: SWPC Product Subscription Service [mailto:swpc.products@noaa.gov] Sent: Friday, August 29, 2014 5:11 AM Subject: ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 (G1) Space Weather Message Code: ALTK05 Serial Number: 750 Issue Time: 2014 Aug 29 1202 UTC ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 Threshold Reached: 2014 Aug 29 1200 UTC Synoptic Period: 0900-1200 UTC Active Warning: Yes NOAA Scale: G1 - Minor NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 60 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Weak power grid fluctuations can occur. Spacecraft - Minor impact on satellite operations possible. Aurora - Aurora may be visible at high latitudes, i.e., northern tier of the U.S. such as northern Michigan and Maine. D. Cancellations Should conditions change to where an active warning, watch or alert is no longer valid, the SWPC will send out a cancellation notification. The cancellation is effective at the issue time listed in the notification. Sample SWPC GMD Cancellation: From: SWPC Product Subscription Service [mailto:swpc.products@noaa.gov] Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2014 5:52 AM Subject: CANCELLED WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G1 Predicted Space Weather Message Code: WATA20 Serial Number: 583 Issue Time: 2014 Sep 07 1248 UTC CANCEL WATCH: Geomagnetic Storm Category G1 Predicted Cancel Serial Number: 582 Original Issue Time: 2014 Sep 06 1946 UTC Comment: CME effects did not materialize as expected and the threat for G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm conditions no longer exist. Classification: Public Page 5 of 9 Effective Date: January 8, 2019
V. Reliability Messaging 1 Upon receiving a watch with a G-scale 3 or a warning or alert with a K-index 7, the Reliability Messaging Tool (RMT) will automatically populate and send a GMD RMT message to the RC Area TOPs. The Working Shift Foreman (WSF) will ensure this message is sent by comparing the RC Desk inbox SWPC message with the RMT message. For GMD Alert messages, the WSF will ensure the RMT message is acknowledged by at least one entity. If a SWPC Warning or Alert is extended or cancelled, an additional reliability message will automatically be sent. In the event that the RMT is not automatically sent, the WSF will notify RC Area TOPs using the manual entry GMD templates in RMT. If RMT is not available, the WSF shall use alternate communication methods such as the AVTEC phone system to conduct a blast call. The WSF may elect to notify entities of a disturbance with less than K-7 or G-3 intensity if unusual conditions are noted by the RCSOs and/or reported by an entity. VI. Coordination of TOP s 2 TOPs must submit their current GMD s or Operating Processes to Peak utilizing the secure portal on peakrc.org or by email to RCTOPPlans@peakrc.com. Peak will review the document within 30 days of submittal to ensure there are no conflicts with other TOP GMD s or Operating Processes or with the RC s GMD. If conflicts are discovered, they shall be resolved within 30 calendar days from discovery. Peak s internal roles and responsibilities are identified in the TOP GMD Operating Process/Procedure Review document. VII. GMD Potential System Issues GMD events have the potential to adversely impact the reliable operation of interconnected transmission systems. During a GMD event, GICs may cause severe half-cycle transformer saturation leading to hot-spot heating and damage, loss of Reactive Power sources, increased Reactive Power demand and Protection System Misoperations. Additional problems which have been detected during GMDs include, but are not limited to: Unusual noise in transformers Real and reactive power swings Frequency excursions 1 NERC Standard EOP-010-1 Requirement 2 2 NERC Standard EOP-010-1 Requirement 1.2 Classification: Public Page 6 of 9 Effective Date: January 8, 2019
Tripping of capacitor banks by neutral ground current Harmonic currents Hunting of automatic LTC transformers Voltage fluctuations Communication system problems Negative sequence relay alarms Loss of power or blackouts VIII. Mitigating Actions 3 Based upon the SWPC notification level (watch, warning or alert), the following are potential operating actions based on available lead-time and as supported by appropriate entity GMD procedures, and entity and/or RC studies: SWPC Watch (G scale 3) - 1 to 3 days in advance of potential storm A. Increase situational awareness Ensure a GMD Watch reliability message is sent to TOPs in the RC Area. Request entities review, as applicable, their GMD s and/or Operating Processes. Assess readiness of black start generators and cranking paths B. Safe system posturing, if supported by study Prepare for return of outaged equipment to service (especially series capacitors) Prepare for delay of planned outages Prepare for removal of shunt reactors SWPC Warning (K-index 7 and G scale 3) - day of event, hours in advance, storm imminent A. Increase situational awareness Ensure a GMD Warning reliability message is sent to TOPs in the RC Area. Coordinate with entities, as applicable, to implement their GMD Operating Procedures and/or Operating Processes. Monitor Reactive Reserves Monitor for unusual voltage or MVAR swings Prepare for unplanned capacitor bank, SVC or HVDC tripping 3 NERC Standard EOP-010-1 Requirement 1.1 Classification: Public Page 7 of 9 Effective Date: January 8, 2019
Prepare for possible false SCADA (ICCP) indications if telecommunications systems are disrupted. B. Safe system posturing, if supported by study Coordinate with entities to start off-line generation and synchronous condensers Coordinate with entities to enter conservative operations with possible reduced transfer limits Coordinate with entities to ensure series capacitors are in-service SWPC Alert (K-index 7 and G scale 3) real-time conditions, during storm A. Increase situational awareness Ensure a GMD Alert reliability message is sent to TOPs in the RC Area. Coordinate with entities, as applicable, in implementing their GMD Operating Procedures and/or Operating Processes. Request entities to report unusual operating conditions in real-time attributed to the GMD to the RCSO. B. Safe system posturing, if supported by study Coordinate with entity for selective load shedding Coordinate with entity on increasing thermal margins on selected transformers (starting fans and pumps) C. System reconfiguration, if supported by study Coordinate with entity to remove transformer(s) from service if in danger of imminent damage due to overheating Coordinate with entity to remove lines from service Return to Normal Operations Typically TOPs should return to normal operation two to four hours after the last observed geomagnetic activity. Classification: Public Page 8 of 9 Effective Date: January 8, 2019
Approved: Managing Director of Operations Version History Rev. Date Action By Change Tracking 1.0 12/09/2014 Issued for Implementation J Hoyt Original Peak RC Procedure created in response to NERC Standard EOP- 010-1. This procedure supersedes the Geo- Magnetic Disturbance Reporting v6.0 procedure. 2.0 3/8/2016 Revised and reissued M Granath Annual Review. Changed reference from WECCNet to RMT. 3.0 2/7/2017 Revised and Reissued M Granath Updated Shift Lead to Working Shift Foreman, added reference to TOP GMD Operating Process/Procedure Review document, added section IX. Plan Review and Maintenance. 3.1 7/25/2017 Revised and Reissued J Hoyt Annual Review. Modified section VI TOP GMD Plan submission email address to rctopplans@peakrc.com; other errata changes. 4.0 11/29/2017 Revised and Reissued J Hoyt Modifications throughout due to transition to automatic RMT messaging. 5.0 12/10/2018 Revised and Reissued J Hoyt Annual Review. Removed posting to RCIS per NERC GMD Reference Document v3.0. Other errata changes. Classification: Public Page 9 of 9 Effective Date: January 8, 2019