2003 Blackout: Options to increase system reliability

1
2003 Blackout Options to increase system
reliability

• Massachusetts Roundtable
• September 19, 2003

22 Pearl Street Cambridge, MA 02139 617.661.3248
2
What happened Multiple Factors

• It was a hot summer day and loads were high.
• Some transmission lines were heavily loaded.
• The transmission system was delivering large
  inter-regional power transfers.
• Operating rules and operator experience were not
  adequate for these conditions.
• Some operators did not respond in a correct and
  timely manner to problems as they happened.
• Automatic controls in some locations
  malfunctioned or were not properly set.

2003 Blackout Options
Synapse Energy Economics
3
Non-Factors

• There was no storm that disabled a key power
  line.
• There was no shortage of generation reserve
  margins were more than adequate for the loads.

2003 Blackout Options
Synapse Energy Economics
4
Reserve Margins

• Demand Capacity Reserves
• ECAR 96,238 122,955 27.8
• MAAC/PJM 52,569 64,003 21.8
• NPCC US 54,617 67,992 24.5
• NPCC Canada 46,532 65,468 40.7

2003 Blackout Options
Synapse Energy Economics
5
Cost effective, reliable solutions
NO LIMITED YES

• Additional generation
• Not a factor on 8/14
• Transmission upgrades
• Varies region to region
• Distributed generation
• Key improvement
• Demand resources
• Low-cost improvement

2003 Blackout Options
Synapse Energy Economics
6
Federal Policy Options

• RTOs
• Operational control and planning
• RSCs
• Resource adequacy standards
• R.O.E. bonuses
• Case by case cost-benefit analyses
• Mandatory reliability standards
• Regional flexibility

2003 Blackout Options
Synapse Energy Economics
7
Conclusion

• There are several safe, economic solutions
  beyond targeted transmission upgrades to increase
  electric system reliability
• Distributed generation
• Demand response and energy efficiency
• Planning oversight
• Enforceable standards

Reliability must be balanced with cost
2003 Blackout Options
Synapse Energy Economics