Electric Power Outlook - Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Electric Power Outlook - Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Electric Power Outlook - Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
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NERC defines the bulk electric system as follows:<br />
As defined by the Regional Reliability Organization, the electrical generation<br />
resources, transmission lines, interconnections with neighboring systems, and<br />
associated equipment, generally operated at voltages of 100 kV or higher. Radial<br />
transmission facilities serving only load with one transmission source are generally<br />
not included in this definition. 12<br />
In an order issued Nov. 18, 2010, FERC directed NERC to revise the definition of the term “bulk<br />
electric system” through its Reliability Standards Development Process to address the FERC’s<br />
policy and technical concerns and ensure that the definition encompasses all facilities necessary for<br />
operating an interconnected electric transmission network pursuant to Section 215 of the Federal<br />
<strong>Power</strong> Act. FERC believes the best way to accomplish these goals is to eliminate the regional<br />
discretion in the current definition, maintain a bright-line threshold that includes all facilities<br />
operated at or above 100 kV except defined radial facilities, and establish an exemption process<br />
and criteria for excluding facilities that are not necessary for operating the interconnected<br />
transmission network. However, FERC’s Final Rule allowed NERC to develop an alternative<br />
proposal for addressing FERC’s concerns with the present definition. Any such alternative must<br />
be as equally efficient and effective as FERC’s suggested approach in addressing the identified<br />
technical and other concerns, and may not result in a reduction in reliability. 13 FERC noted that<br />
there is a strong technical justification for a standard 100-kV threshold, pointing out that facilities<br />
rated at 115 kV and 138 kV have either caused or contributed to significant bulk electric system<br />
disturbances and cascading outages.<br />
NERC has requested public comments on a new procedure for facility-by-facility determinations<br />
of inclusions or exclusions to the bulk electric system not otherwise resolved through the<br />
application of the definition of “bulk electric system.”<br />
Figure 1 provides a map of the eight NERC Regional Entities.<br />
12 NERC, “Glossary of Terms Used in Reliability Standards.”<br />
13 Docket No. RM09-18-000; Order No. 743.<br />
<strong>Electric</strong> <strong>Power</strong> <strong>Outlook</strong> for <strong>Pennsylvania</strong> 2010-15 3
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