Project 2021-02 Modifications to VAR-002 Standard Authorization Request

Summary:

An informal comment period for the Project 2021-02 Modifications to VAR-002 Standard Authorization Request (SAR) is open through 8:00 p.m. (Eastern), Wednesday, April 6, 2022. The purpose is to clarify VAR-002-4.1, Requirement R3, in regards to whether the GOP of a dispersed power resource must notify its associated TOP upon a status change of a voltage controlling device on an individual generating unit (e.g., if a single inverter goes offline in a solar photo-voltaic (PV) Facility).

Additional Discussion:

Reliability Standard VAR-002-4.1 requires, among other things, Generator Operators (GOP) to ensure generators provide reactive support and voltage control, within generating Facility capabilities, in order to protect equipment and maintain reliable operation of the Interconnection. For dispersed power producing resources, it is not clear if a GOP is required to notify the Transmission Operator (TOP) for the status change of a voltage controlling device on an individual generating unit within a Facility comprised of numerous resources. NERC Project 2014-01 Standards Applicability for Dispersed Generation Resources revised VAR-002, Requirement R4, to clarify that it is not applicable to individual generating units of dispersed power producing resources. At the time, the IRPTF did not identify any reason why Requirement R3 (i.e., “status change”) should be treated differently than Requirement R4.
The NERC IRPTF undertook an effort to perform a comprehensive review of all NERC Reliability Standards to determine if there were any potential gaps or improvements. The IRPTF identified several issues as part of this effort and documented its findings and recommendations in a white paper (see supporting documents) approved by the Operating Committee. Among the findings noted in the white paper, the IRPTF identified issues with VAR-002-4.1 that should be addressed through the standards development process.
The SAR was endorsed by the Reliability and Security Technical Committee (RSTC) on June 10, 2020, and accepted by the SC on January 20, 2021.

Link to Standard:

• https://www.nerc.com/_layouts/15/PrintStandard.aspx?standardnumber=VAR-002-4.1&title=Generator%2...