operations;training

1/21/21 2:39 PM

M-A012121-01 ERCOT 2021 Remote Black Start Testing


NOTICE DATE: January 21, 2021

NOTICE TYPE: M-A012121-01 Education/Training

SHORT DESCRIPTION: ERCOT 2021 Remote Black Start Training simulation testing begins March 9, 2021. ERCOT 2021 Remote Black Start Training Early Registration opens March 8, 2021, for all operators who are responsible for the Day-Ahead and Real-Time operation of the ERCOT Transmission Grid.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: All Transmission Operators (TOs), Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE) operators identified in a Black Start restoration plan, Resource Entities that represent Black Start Resources, and other Entities who are notified by ERCOT that their participation is required. Attendance at Black Start Training is limited to those Entities identified above , ERCOT staff, Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), Reliability Monitor, or other Entities deemed by ERCOT to have a legitimate reliability reason to attend.

DAYS AFFECTED: See table below for the Black Start Training simulation testing dates. Early registration for the annual Black Start Training will be available March 8, 2021 – April 5, 2021.

LONG DESCRIPTION: This year’s Black Start Training simulation will be performed remotely with all Market Participants logging into the Macomber Map through the ERCOT Gateway exclusively from computers at their company locations. Weekly testing will take place prior to the simulation training. Necessary weekly testing to prepare for the annual Black Start Training will be conducted on Tuesdays starting March 9 – April 13, 2021. No CEHs are awarded for time associated with Black Start testing (as opposed to time attributable to the training portion). The annual Black Start Training session dates are listed below. Total NERC CEHs are unofficial at this time, but will consist of a restoration module on LMS as well as 1.5 days of performance simulation.

Requirements for Market Participants to Participate:

  • ERCOT Gateway Access (https://gateway.ercot.com);
  • Workplace with good internet connectivity and no background noise;
  • A computer is required with latest Citrix receiver installed (Download Receiver for Windows LTSR - Citrix);
  • Internet explorer 11.x is required ( you can see the configuration from User Guides (ercot.com));
  • Computer with a minimum hardware specs are recommended (Windows 10, RAM 16GB, intel i5 or similar configuration);
  • Copy of up-to-date Black Start Plans;
  • Transmission Operators (TOs) will need to provide ERCOT with one number for the Hot-line call and one additional number for the conference bridge (NO REAL-TIME NUMBERS WILL BE ACCEPTED); and
  • QSE’s will need to provide ERCOT with one number for each of their Black Start resources (NO REAL-TIME NUMBERS WILL BE ACCEPTED).
  • Black Start Testing Deadlines:
    • Friday 2/5/2021 - Market Participant Single Point of Contact Name and Phone Number Due to ERCOT. Send to John Jarmon at: John.Jarmon@ercot.com, email subject line must state:  2021 Black Start Non-Registration.
    • Friday, 2/26/2021- Market Participant Operator Desk Phone Numbers Due to ERCOT. Send to John Jarmon at: John.Jarmon@ercot.com, email subject line must state: 2021 Black Start Non-Registration.

2021 Black Start Timeline of Events

Tuesdays Only 08:00 – 12:00

Black Start SimulationTesting

March 9 – April 13

Tues. 4/20/2021 08:00 - 17:00

Wed. 4/21/2021  08:00 - 12:00

Official Pilot

April 20 – April 21

Tues. 5/11/2021 08:00 – 17:00

Wed. 5/12/2021 08:00 – 12:00

Official Session 1

Black Start Simulation

May 11 – May 12

Tues. 5/18/2021 08:00 – 17:00

Wed. 5/19/2021 08:00 – 12:00

Official Session 2

Black Start Simulation

May 18 – May 19

Tues. 5/25/2021 08:00 – 17:00

Wed. 5/26/2021 08:00 – 12:00

Official Session 3

Black Start Simulation

May 25 – May 26

Tues. 6/1/2021 08:00 – 17:00

Wed. 6/2/2021 08:00 – 12:00

Official Session 4

Black Start Simulation

June 1 – June 2

Tues. 6/8/2021 08:00 – 17:00

Wed. 6/9/2021 08:00 – 12:00

Official Session 5

Black Start Simulation

June 8 – June 9

Tues. 6/15/2021 08:00 – 17:00

Wed. 6/16/2021 08:00 – 12:00

Official Session 6

Black Start Simulation

June 15 – June 16

 

ACTION REQUIRED: Black Start Testing Point of Contact Deadlines:

  • Friday 2/5/2021 - Market Participant Single Point of Contact Name and Phone Number Due to ERCOT. Send to John Jarmon at: John.Jarmon@ercot.com, email subject line must state:  2021 Black Start Non-Registration.
  • Friday, 2/26/2021 - Market Participant Operator Desk Phone Numbers Due to ERCOT. Send to John Jarmon at: John.Jarmon@ercot.com, email subject line must state: 2021 Black Start Non-Registration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: In addition to the Entities listed above, this notice is also issued to the compliance contacts for all Texas Regional Entity Transmission Operators and Generator Operators. Generator Operators with Black Start Resources are the only Generator Operators required to attend Black Start training and testing. A second market notice regarding registration for the annual Black Start Training simulation will go out prior to March 8, 2021.To avoid confusion or interference with real-time operations, ERCOT is requesting all Market Participants involved in this training avoid using staff operating in real-time operations during participation in Black Start simulation testing and during actual Black Start Training.

CONTACT: If you have any questions, please contact your ERCOT Account Manager. You may also call the general ERCOT Client Services phone number at (512) 248-3900 or contact ERCOT Client Services via email at ClientServices@ercot.com. For all questions regarding the 2021 Black Start Training registration contact SystemOperationsTrai@ercot.com.

If you are receiving email from a public ERCOT distribution list that you no longer wish to receive, please follow this link in order to unsubscribe from this list: http://lists.ercot.com.

 

mm