EECP External Communications

1
EECP External Communications

• Paul Wattles
• ERCOT Governmental Relations Communications
• Market Meeting
• May 8, 2006

2
ERCOT Communications of Event Stages
Initial draft for discussion 5/3/06
ERCOT Event Stage ERCOT action/ communication Triggering event
1. Early alert Conditions are being watched closely Alert for Forecast of Insufficient Capacity
2. 2nd alert Capacity Reserves are actually at minimum levels Deployment of non-spin reserves to maintain capacity sufficiency
3. EECP Step 1 All available generation dispatched Capacity Reserves below minimum levels
4. EECP Step 2 LaaRs deployed Difficulty maintaining frequency at 60 Hz
5. EECP Step 3 Media appeal for conservation Continued frequency decay
6. EECP Step 4 Rotating firm load shed Continued frequency decay below 59.8 Hz
7. Cancellation of EECP Step 4 All firm load restored Frequency restoration
8. Cancellation of EECP Step 2 LaaRs restored Frequency restoration
9. Cancellation of EECP Grid conditions normal
3
Points of discussion

• Preceding slide represents a DRAFT schedule for
  ERCOT to meet its external communications
  obligations expectations
• Additional input from PUC, market and other
  stakeholders is welcome
• Schedule can assist ERCOT in delivering useful
  event communication to MP divisions other than
  operations, such as
• Media relations
• Call centers
• External communications should be
• Consistent with operational instructions and grid
  conditions
• In plain English
• In proper context

4
Input from the meeting

• Terms in Protocols Guides have defined meaning.
   External communications should either use same
  terminology (within its defined Protocol context)
  or terminology should differ to avoid confusion.
• Example Alert is a defined term
• Actions and triggering events are subject to
  change based on MP input changes to Protocols
  Guides
• California real-time web presentation of grid
  conditions (including actual load vs. forecast)
  should be evaluated
• Communications WG (COPS) will be first stop in
  considering market communication questions in
  more detail