1. GMD Research FERC Order No. 830 Research Work Plan Mark Olson, NERC
Technical Studies Subcommittee Meeting
August 22, 2017

2. GMD Research Objective
By working through an open and diverse network of international partners, including U.S. and Canadian government, utility, and public and private researchers, the NERC GMD Task Force has developed state of the art models, tools, and techniques that enable implementation of the GMD standards…and support broad application of best practices in North America. NERC commits to continue its work to advance the technical capabilities of the industry to address this high-impact, low frequency risk through these effective and collaborative international partnerships.
- NERC TPL Petition for Regulatory Approval (July 2015)

3. Preliminary GMD Research Work Plan filed with FERC in May 2017
Order No. 830
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order continues efforts addressing geomagnetic disturbances (GMD)
Implementation of GMD Vulnerability Assessments (TPL-007-1)
Revisions to TPL through Standards Development Process
Data collection
GMD research work plan
NERC and EPRI collaborated to develop a research work plan addressing issues in FERC’s order
Preliminary GMD Research Work Plan filed with FERC in May 2017

4. NERC received input on the research work plan through:
Development Steps
NERC received input on the research work plan through:
GMD Task Force (GMDTF)
Technical committees
Research organizations
GMDTF meeting held on February 21 – 22, 2017
EPRI and NERC staff constructed preliminary research work plan and filed with FERC in May 2017
August EPRI initiated member outreach for support of a multi-year EPRI GMD project meeting NERC’s objectives

5. Chair: Frank Koza – PJM Interconnection
GMD Task Force
GMD Task Force provided input on the research work plan and will be a forum for feedback and review
NERC GMD Task Force collaborates with researchers, agencies and utilities across North America
Electric Power Research Institute
North American Transmission Forum
NASA, Canadian Space Agency
U.S. Geological Survey, Natural Resources Canada
U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center
U.S. National Labs
Utilities from all regions in North America
Chair: Frank Koza – PJM Interconnection

6. Research Work Plan Overview
FERC-directed research activities include:
Continued analysis on benchmark GMD event
Improving earth conductivity models
Further analysis on transformer vulnerability
Development of harmonic analysis capability
Additional NERC activity includes:
Implement data collection and sharing for GIC monitoring devices
Develop tool for transformer thermal response simulation

7. Task 1 -Analyze Spatial Averaging Used in Benchmark GMD Event
Further evaluate the Benchmark GMD Event used in TPL-007-1
Improve understanding of the physics and spatial scales of localized geoelectric field “hotspots”.
Analysis of measurement data
Compare to simulated predictions
Determine impacts of spatial averaging assumptions on bulk-power system reliability.
GIC analysis
Power flow analysis
Transformer thermal assessments

8. Perform analysis to provide:
Evaluate the geomagnetic latitude scaling factors associated with severe GMD events.
Perform review of peer-reviewed research since development of NERC Benchmark GMD Event
Perform analysis to provide:
Additional technical support for existing latitude scaling factors, or
Propose new values as appropriate
Image source: C Ngwira and A Pulkinnen et al., Extended study of Extreme Geoelectric Field Event Scenarios for Geomagnetically Induced Current Applications, 11 Space Weater 121 (2013)

9. Task 3 – Improve Earth Conductivity Models for GIC Studies
Determine if the earth conductivity scaling factors in TPL need to be revised using more complex modeling
Compare GIC calculations for 3D and 1D models
Develop techniques and guidelines for using GIC and magnetometer data to perform model validation
Establish a working group to further development of modeling non-uniform geoelectric fields including coastal effect

10. Task 4 and 5 –Transformer Thermal Impact
Perform analysis to evaluate the ability of GIC flow calculated as specified in TPL-007 to represent worst-case transformer hot-spot heating conditions
Evaluate 75 A per phase criteria
Evaluate effects of harmonic currents
Develop enhancements to models and data to improve accuracy of transformer thermal impact assessments
Improve models
Additional modeling parameters
Guidance, Performance Criteria

11. Task 6 – Section 1600 Data Request
Order No. 830 includes directives for collecting data to “improve our collective understanding” of GMD risk
Includes GIC and Magnetometer data
NERC is to make data available to the public
EPRI project will help develop guidance for the measurement of GIC and geomagnetic field
Opportunities for stakeholder input on data request:
GMDTF
Technical Committees
45-day formal comment period (expected in early 2018)

12. Task 7 – Geoelectric Field Calculation Tool
Evaluate commercially available tools for calculating geoelectric field from magnetic field data for given earth conductivity structure.
Develop open source tool capable of performing geoelectric field calculations using 1D and 3D earth conductivity layered model and time series geomagnetic field data.
Perform time-series simulations to evaluate the beta factors (scaling factors to account for earth conductivity).

13. Task 8 – Harmonic Analysis Capabilities
GMD harmonic assessments– provide guidance and tools to address GMD-related harmonics
Develop harmonics analysis guidelines and tools for system-wide assessments.  
Develop models and methods to improve capability of performing harmonic assessments of benchmark GMD events.

14. Task 9 – Harmonic Impact Studies
Impacts of harmonics on power system equipment; in particular, the impacts of vibrations on power transformers.
Perform transformer tank vibration measurements on transformers when subjected to GIC
Determine:
Feasibility of using tank vibration measurements to monitor GIC impact
Impact of vibrations due to GIC on integrity of the transformers
May result in additional screening and/or monitoring criteria that can be used to determine GMD impacts

15. EPRI project expected to span Q4 2017 – Q1 2020
Ways to be Involved
EPRI project expected to span Q – Q1 2020
EPRI POC: Robert Arritt at
NERC GMDTF meeting: September 19, 2017
NERC HQ Atlanta | Remote access available | Details on NERC Calendar

16. John Moura – Director, Reliability Assessment and System Analysis
Points of Contact
John Moura – Director, Reliability Assessment and System Analysis
Ganesh Velummylum – Senior Manager, System Analysis
Mark Olson – Senior Engineer, Reliability Assessments

17. Discussion

18. Data Request Background
NERC Rules of Procedure (RoP) Section 1600
Within the United States, NERC and Regional Entities may request data or information that is necessary to meet their obligations under Section 215 of the Federal Power Act, as authorized by Section 39.2(d) of the Commission’s regulations, 18 C.F.R. § 39.2(d). (P 1601)
Data Request Elements
Describe why the data is needed, its use and collection method
Identify functional entity(ies)
Estimate the burden on reporting entities
Establish reporting criteria or schedule
Process
45-day public comment period on NERC’s request
NERC Board approval required to issue data request to entity(ies)