The NERC Reliability Standards course includes the following learning activities. Maximum CEH awarded are 35.5 Standards, 35.5 Operating Topics, 5.5 Simulation and 17.5 EOP, but actual CEH depend upon classroom hours.
NERC Standards BAL Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the six NERC Reliability Standards in the "BAL" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the BAL-001-0 Standard "Real Power Balancing Control Performance". Include a discussion of:
- Operating reserves including regulatory & contingency
- Governor operations
- CPS1
- CPS2
- Ancillary (IOS) services
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the BAL-002-0 Standard "Disturbance Control Performance". Include a discussion of:
- Single most severe contingency
- Disturbance recovery period
- Reportable/excludable disturbances
- Contingency reserve recovery period
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the BAL-003-0 Standard "Frequency Response & Bias". Include a discussion of:
- Components of frequency bias
- Frequency Response Characteristic (FRC)
- Fixed versus variable bias
- Minimum bias values
- Dynamic schedules & pseudo ties
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the BAL-004-0 Standard "Time Error Correction". Include a discussion of:
- Purpose of a time error correction
- Methodology of a time error correction
- Acceptable time error limits
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the BAL-005-1 Standard "Automatic Generation Control". Include a discussion of:
- Theory and operation of AGC
- Three methods of AGC
- Overlap and supplemental regulation
- Use of IME term
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the BAL-006-1 Standard "Inadvertent Interchange". Include a discussion of:
- Types of inadvertent
- Inadvertent payback
- Maintaining inadvertent accounts
NERC Standards CIP, COM, NUC Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the two NERC Reliability Standards in the "COM" series, the nine standards in the "CIP" series & the one standard in the "NUC" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the CIP Series of NERC Reliability Standards. Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of CIP-001, CIP-002, CIP-003, CIP-004, CIP-005, CIP-006, CIP-007, CIP-008 & CIP-009
- Concept of sabotage and NERC sabotage reporting requirements
- Concept of cyber security and the need for NERC cyber security requirements
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the COM Series of NERC Reliability Standards. Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of COM-001 & COM-002
- Importance of reliable telecommunications
- The NERC.net security policy
- System operators repeating back directives
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the NUC-001-1 Standard "Nuclear Plant Interface Requirements". Include a discussion of:
- The importance of nuclear plant safety
- The purpose of nuclear plant interface
NERC Standards EOP Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the nine NERC Reliability Standards in the "EOP" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the EOP-001-0 Standard "Emergency Operations Planning". Include a discussion of:
- The need for emergency operating plans
- The purpose and usage of load shedding
- Concept of an IROL
- Topics typically addressed in emergency operating plans
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the EOP-002-2 Standard "Capacity & Energy Emergencies". Include a discussion of:
- Definition of capacity emergency
- Definition of energy emergency
- Concept of FERC Transmission Service Priority
- Dangers of unilateral action
- The four levels of EEA and the role of a system operator during each level
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the EOP-003-1 Standard "Load Shedding Plans". Include a discussion of:
- Purpose and application of UFLS schemes
- Purpose and application of UVLS schemes
- The need for manual load shedding
- Coordinating automatic load shed plans with other protection
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the EOP-004-1 Standard "Disturbance Reporting". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of disturbance reporting
- NERC reporting requirements
- DOE reporting requirements
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the EOP-005-1 Standard "System Restoration Plans". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of a restoration plan
- Priorities during a system restoration
- Coordination between RC, TOP, BA & GO
- Need to test the restoration plan
- Concept of black start
- Concept of a cranking path
- Topics typically addressed in a system restoration plan
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the EOP-006-1 Standard "Reliability Coordination-System Restoration". Include a discussion of:
- The roles of the RC, TOP & BA during a system restoration event
- The need to coordinate synchronizations
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the EOP-007-0 Standard "Establish, Maintain & Document a Regional Black Start Capability Plan" and the EOP-009-0 Standard "Documentation of Black Start Generating Unit Test Results". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of a black start capability plan
- The ingredients of a successful black start plan
- The need to periodically test black start units
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the EOP-008-0 Standard "Plans for Loss of Control Center Functionality". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of a backup control center plan
- Areas to address in the plan
- The timeframes to initiate the plan
NERC Standards FAC Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the ten NERC Reliability Standards in the "FAC" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the FAC Series of NERC Reliability Standards. Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of FAC-001, FAC-002, FAC-003, FAC-008, FAC-009, FAC-010, FAC-011, FAC-012, FAC-013 & FAC-014
- The purpose and usage of facility connection and performance requirements
- The purpose and application of vegetation management programs
- The purpose and application of facility rating programs
- The purpose and usage of system operating limits (SOL)
- Normal versus delayed fault clearing
- The concept of transfer capability
NERC Standards INT Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the nine NERC Reliability Standards in the "INT" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Examine the concept of interchange including a discussion of:
- The four stages in setting up an Interchange Transaction included: Arranging, Assessing, Confirming & Implementing
- The tagging process
- The concept of ancillary services
- Transmission service priorities
- Scheduling via a contract path versus scheduling in an RTO
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the INT-001-2 Standard "Interchange Transaction Information", the INT-003-2 Standard "Interchange Transaction Implementation", and the INT-004-1 Standard "Interchange Transaction Modifications". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of INT-001-2, INT-003-2 and INT-004-1
- Concept of Arranged Interchange
- Concept of Assessed Interchange
- Role of the Interchange Authority
- Tag submittal responsibilities
- Concept of Confirmed Interchange
- Concept of Implemented Interchange
- Concept of the energy profile
- Requirements for tagging a dynamic schedule
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the INT-005-2 Standard "Interchange Authority Distributes Arranged Interchange", the INT-006-2 Standard "Response to Interchange Authority", the INT-007-1 Standard "Interchange Confirmation", the INT-008-2 Standard "Interchange Authority Distributes Status" and the INT-009-1 Standard "Implementation of Interchange". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of INT-005-2, INT-006-2, INT-007-1, INT-008-2 and INT-009-1
- Use the "Timing Table" in the INT-005-2 Standard to describe the process during which a PSE submits Arranged Interchange to the Interchange Authority
- Use the "Timing Table" in the INT-006-2 Standard to describe the process during which the Interchange Authority submits the Arranged Interchange to the BAs & TSPs for reliability evaluation
- Use the "Timing Table" in the INT-007-1 Standard to describe the process during which the Interchange Authority transitions the Arranged Interchange to Confirmed Interchange
- Use the "Timing Table" in the INT-008-2 Standard to describe the process during which the Interchange Authority notifies the BAs, TSPs & PSEs of the transition to Confirmed Interchange
- Use the "Timing Table" in the INT-009-1 Standard to describe the process during which the BAs transition the Confirmed Interchange to Implemented Interchange
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the INT-010-1 Standard "Interchange Coordination Exemptions". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of INT-010-1
- The conditions in which a reliability entity can initiate or modify an Interchange Schedule
- The conditions during which a reliability entity is exempt from compliance with the Interchange Standards
NERC Standards IRO Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the NERC Reliability Standards in the "IRO" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the IRO-001-1 Standard "RC Responsibilities & Authorities". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of IRO-001-1
- Concept of a Regional Reliability Plan
- RCs may delegate tasks
- Coordinating agreements amongst RCs
- RC Standards of Conduct
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the IRO-002-1 Standard "Reliability Coordination - Facilities". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of IRO-002-1
- The type of tools used by RCs
- The monitoring duties of an RC
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the IRO-004-1 Standard "Reliability Coordination - Operations Planning". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of IRO-004-1
- The usage of next-day reliability analysis
- The concept of parallel flows
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the IRO-005-2 Standard "Reliability Coordination - Current Day Operations". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of IRO-005-2
- The data that an RC monitors
- The usage of state estimator
- The usage of contingency analysis
- The concept of GMD
- The concept of hotline
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the IRO-006-3 Standard "Reliability Coordination - Transmission Loading Relief". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of IRO-006-3
- The concept and application of wide-area and local TLR procedures
- The usage of emergency declarations
- The concept and usage of distribution factors
- Mitigating constrained facilities
- FERC Transmission Service Priorities
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the IRO-014-1 Standard "Procedures, Processes or Plans to Support Coordination Between RCs" and of the IRO-015-1 Standard "Notifications & Information Exchange Between RCs". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of IRO-014-1 and IRO-015-1
- The need for RCs to exchange data
- The need for RCs to coordinate their operations
NERC Standards MOD Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the 23 NERC Reliability Standards in the "MOD" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the nine Standards in the MOD series that relate to ATC & TTC calculation. Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of MOD-001-0, MOD-002-0, MOD-003-0, MOD-004-0, MOD-005-0, MOD-006-0, MOD-007-0, MOD-008-0 and MOD-009-0
- The concept of ATC
- The concept of TTC
- The concept of CBM including CBM usage
- The concept of TRM including TRM usage
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the twelve Standards in the MOD series that relate to the computer models used for power system studies. Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of MOD-010-0, MOD-011-0, MOD-012-0, MOD-013-0, MOD-014-0, MOD-015-0, MOD-016-0, MOD-017-0, MOD-018-0, MOD-019-0, MOD-020-0 and MOD-021-0
- The concept of a steady-state system model
- The concept of a dynamic system model
- The need for accurate demand data
- The concept of DSM
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the MOD-024-1 Standard "Verification of Generator Gross & Net MW Capability" and of the MOD-025-1 Standard "Verification of Generator Gross & Net Mvar Capability". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of MOD-024-1 and MOD-025-1
- The need for accurate generator MW & Mvar capability
NERC Standards PER Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the four NERC Reliability Standards in the "PER" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the PER Series of NERC Reliability Standards. Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of PER-001, PER-002, PER-003 & PER-004
- The need for system operators to have clearly defined responsibilities and authority
- The need for coordinated system operator training programs
- The purpose and requirements of the NERC system operator certification program
NERC Standards PRC Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the 22 NERC Reliability Standards in the "PRC" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the PRC-001-1 Standard "System Protection Coordination". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of PRC-001-1
- The basic concept of power system protection including a description of the most common relays
- The need to coordinate relay settings
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the PRC-002-1 Standard "Define & Document Disturbance Monitoring Equipment Requirements" and the PRC-018-1 Standard "Disturbance Monitoring Equipment Installation & Data Reporting". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of PRC-002-1 and PRC-018-1
- The usage of disturbance monitoring data
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the PRC-003-1 Standard "Regional Procedure for Transmission Protection System Misoperations" and of the PRC-004-1 Standard "Analysis & Reporting of Transmission Protection System Misoperations" and of the PRC-005-1 Standard "Transmission Protection System Maintenance & Testing". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of PRC-003-1, PRC-004-1 and PRC-005-1
- The need to respond to protective relay misoperations
- The need to perform protective relay testing and have a maintenance program
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the four Standards in the PRC series that are related to UFLS. Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of PRC-006-0, PRC-007-0, PRC-008-0 and PRC-009-0
- The concept and application of a UFLS program
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the five Standards in the PRC series that are related to UVLS. Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of PRC-010-0, PRC-011-0, PRC-020-1, PRC021-1 and PRC-022-1
- The concept and application of a UVLS program
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the six Standards in the PRC series that are related to the usage of SPS. Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of PRC-012-0, PRC-013-0, PRC-014-0, PRC-015-0, PRC-016-0 and PRC-017-0
- The concept of an SPS
- SPS impact on operating security limits
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the PRC-023-1 Standard "Transmission Relay Loadability". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of PRC-023-1
- The consequences of protective relay false operation
- The conflict between sensitive protection and equipment loadability
NERC Standards TOP Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the eight NERC Reliability Standards in the "TOP" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the TOP-001-1 Standard "Reliability Responsibilities & Authorities". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of TOP-001-1
- The need for TOP operators to know their responsibilities & authorities
- The RC & directives
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the TOP-002-2 Standard "Normal Operations Planning". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of TOP-002-2
- The need for a normal operating plan
- Typical contents of a normal operating plan
- The need for generator capability testing
- The purpose of uniform line identification options
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the TOP-003-0 Standard "Planned Outage Coordination". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of TOP-003-0
- The need for coordinating generation and transmission outages
- The reporting orders for outage coordination
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the TOP-004-1 Standard "Transmission Operations". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of TOP-004-1
- The difference between IROL & SOL
- The meaning of a cascading outage
- The value of remaining interconnected
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the TOP-005-1 Standard "Operational Reliability Information". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of TOP-005-1
- The purpose and usage of the ISN
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the TOP-006-1 Standard "Monitoring System Conditions". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of TOP-006-1
- The monitoring duties of a BA system operator
- The monitoring duties of a TOP system operator
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the TOP-007-1 Standard "Reporting SOL & IROL Violations". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of TOP-007-1
- The 30 minute response rule for an IROL
- Tools to use to respond to an IROL including firm load shedding
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the TOP-008-1 Standard "Response to Transmission Limit Violations". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of TOP-008-1
- The need to respond to an SOL or IROL violation
NERC Standards TPL Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the four NERC Reliability Standards in the "TPL" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the TPL Series of NERC Reliability Standards. Include a discussion of:
- The concept of an operating security limit including thermal, voltage, and stability limits
- The purpose of TPL-001 "System Performance Under Normal Conditions"
- The purpose of TPL-002 "System Performance Following Loss of a Single BES Element"
- The purpose of TPL-003 "System Performance Following Loss of Two or More BES Elements"
- The purpose of TPL-004 "System Performance Following Extreme Events Resulting in the Loss of Two or More BES Elements"
- The purpose of TPL-005 & TPL-006
NERC Standards VAR Series
Learning Objective:
Explain the purpose and describe the key operational content of the two NERC Reliability Standards in the "VAR" series.
Learning Activity Content:
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the VAR-001-1 Standard "Voltage & Reactive Control". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of VAR-001-1
- The need for and usage of reactive reserves
- Description of generator excitation systems
- The purpose of a PSS
Describe the content and explain the impact on system operations of the VAR-002-1 Standard "Generator Operation for Maintaining Network Voltage Schedules". Include a discussion of:
- The purpose of VAR-002-1
- The need for operating voltage regulations in automatic
- Generator step-up transformer tap position impact on Mvar reserve