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2020 ERCOT Black Start Training

This year’s annual Black Start Training covers applied system restoration principles, incorporating both lecture and simulation components relevant to ERCOT’s system restoration strategy. Current entity-specific Black Start plans will be executed during the simulation exercises allowing participants to perform their expected roles and functions. Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to identify the roles of ERCOT, TOPs, QSEs, and Generation Operators.

Continuing Education Hour Information

A NERC Certified System Operator (NCSO) may receive up to 25 CEHs for annual Black Start Training, including 16 simulation CEHs, credited toward maintenance of their NERC System Operator Certificate. All-day attendance and participation is mandatory.

Schedule

Day Time Meals Included
Black Start Day 1 (Tue) 07:00 to 17:00 Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
Black Start Day 2 (Wed) 07:00 to 17:00 Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
Black Start Day 3 (Thu) 07:00 to 17:00 Breakfast, Snacks


Agenda

Black Start Training, Day 1:
06:30-07:00 Breakfast
07:00-07:30 Introduction and Communication Protocols
07:30-11:00 Stages 0-1-2 Lecture: Fundamentals, Roles, and Responsibilities
11:00-12:00 Black Start Plan Reviews and Restoration Strategy Planning
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-16:45 Stages 0-1: Simulation
16:45-17:00 Simulation Debrief


Black Start Training, Day 2:
06:30-07:00 Breakfast
07:00-08:00 Stages 2-3 Lecture: CFC Dispatch
08:00-12:00 Stages 2-3: Simulation
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-14:00 Stage 3: ERCOT-Coordinated Dispatch
14:00-16:45 Stages 2-3: Simulation
16:45-17:00 Simulation Debrief


Black Start Training, Day 3:
06:30-07:00 Breakfast
07:00-07:45 Stage 4 Lecture: Restoration of the BA Function
07:45-08:30 Stage 4 Tabletop Exercise: Roles and Responsibilities
08:30-11:30 Stage 4: Simulation
11:30-12:00 Simulation Debrief and Overall Training Review


Registration Information

Register via Cvent at 2020 ERCOT Black Start Registration

Registration Dates Pricing

January 13 through March 2, 2020

$500/person

After March 2, 2020

$600/person


*Cancellation of registration will not be refunded for any reason.

Registration Qualifications:

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, are qualified to register. Attendance at Black Start training is limited to those Entities identified previously, ERCOT staff, Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), Reliability Monitor, or other Entities deemed by ERCOT to have a legitimate reliability reason to attend.

Do not register if you are a Renewable  Entity.

Do not register support personnel. Due to the scope of the training (market notice intended audience/operating guides) – applicable to your entity, ERCOT Black Start Training is only open to those individuals performing in the roles mentioned above. This specific training is not geared towards support personnel. There will be restoration training available in the annual seminar that would be more appropriate to those support roles.

Registrants shall only register under their entity type. I.e. Transmission Operator= TO/DO, QSE or Generator= QSE/GEN, ERCOT Employee Operator= ERCOT SO, ERCOT Employee Instructor= ERCOTIns, Observer (TexasRE/NERC-no CEHs awarded)= Observer

Early Registration opens March 9, 2021 and ends on April 12, 2021. The cost to attend is $400/person.

Regular Registration opens April 13, 2021 at $500/person.

The Pilot Session is April 21-22, 2021. 


Session Schedule


Training Date

Pilot Session

Apr 21-22

Session 1

May 12-13

Session 2

May 19-20

Session 3

May 26-27

Session 4

Jun 2-3

Session 5

Jun 9-10

Session 6

Jun 16-17

The ERCOT Black Start Training is recognized by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation as an approved learning activity for which NERC CE hours can be awarded, and that the provider adheres to NERC Continuing Education Program criteria.

NERC continuing education hours are available for this class. If you are a NERC certificate holder and complete the criteria requirements for the Annual Black Start Training you will be awarded 25 CE hours in the category of Operating Topics as well as 16 hours of Emergency Operations Simulation.