11-14-17
Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding NorthWestern Energy’s (NWMT) Local Area Electric System Transmission Planning Efforts (Transmission Planning)
1. Does NWMT have an advisory committee?
Yes. NWMT has the Transmission Advisory Committee (“TRANSAC”), active since 2007. Information about this committee, when it meets, meeting agendas, material and meeting notes can be found on NWMT’s OASIS website in the “Transmission Planning – TRANSAC” and “Transmission Planning – TRANSAC – Archive” folders.
2. What is NWMT’s OASIS website?
NWMT’ OASIS website is http://www.oasis.oati.com/NWMT/index.html. You will find Transmission Planning related folders listed on the left hand side of the website page.
3. How can NWMT be contacted?
Current NWMT contact information can be found on NWMT's OASIS website at:
http://www.oasis.oati.com/NWMT/NWMTdocs/How_To_Contact_Us.doc
4. Does NWMT have a calendar of events for transmission planning activities?
Yes, a “Calendar of Events and Study Cycle” is posted under the Transmission Planning tab on NWMT’s OASIS website:
http://www.oasis.oati.com/NWMT/NWMTdocs/2017_Calendar_of_Events_and_Study_Cycle.doc
5.
6. How often does NWMT perform transmission planning studies?
NWMT’s transmission planning studies are performed on a biennial basis. Smaller scale internal system planning studies are done on a continuous basis as requests for load, generation, or transmission interconnection requests are received.
7. How long is the study horizon for NWMT's transmission planning studies?
NWMT examines system conditions and performance over a 15-year planning horizon.
8. What steps are used in the transmission planning process?
NWMT's steps include the Goal, Scenario Definition, Technical Study, Decision and Reporting. NWMT’s methodology, criteria and process are fully described in the “Business Practice ETP Methodology, Criteria and Process” document posted in the “Business Practices, Criteria & Forecast” folder under the “Transmission Planning” folder of NWMT’s OASIS website (http://www.oasis.oati.com/NWMT/index.html).
9. What planning methodology and protocols does NWMT use in transmission planning studies?
NWMT’s methodology, criteria and process are fully described in the “Business Practice ETP Methodology, Criteria and Process” document posted in the “Business Practices, Criteria & Forecast” folder under the “Transmission Planning” folder of NWMT’s OASIS website. This document meets the FERC Order 890 – Transparency Principle requirements. (http://www.oasis.oati.com/NWMT/index.html)
10. What software does NWMT use in transmission planning studies?
NWMT’s primary transmission planning software is Siemens/PTI PSS/E. This software is used to perform all load flow, transient stability, short circuit, and voltage studies on our system. In addition, NWMT utilizes a number of internally developed software packages for dynamic study simulation, gathering metered load data, as well as software from Areva for monitoring of system conditions and dispatch. Microsoft Office Suite software is used in other support applications.
11. How are assumptions regarding transmission, generation, and demand response resources developed?
Please refer to NWMT written document, “Business Practice ETP Methodology, Criteria and Process” document posted in the “Business Practices, Criteria & Forecast” folder under the “Transmission Planning” folder of NWMT’s OASIS website. This document describes NWMT’s electric transmission system planning basic methodology, criteria and process which can be found on NWMT’s OASIS website (http://www.oasis.oati.com/NWMT/index.html).
Details regarding the type of resource (i.e., transmission, generation, or demand response), rating or size, responsiveness and other operating information will be made available to stakeholders at all stages of the planning process through NWMT’s TRANSAC process, public meetings, and information posted on NWMT’s OASIS website.
12. How can an interested party obtain local transmission planning data, such as load flow basecases, contingency files, analytical outputs, etc?
The interested party should contact NWMT for the data if it is not posted on NWMT’s OASIS website. Contact information is available on the NWMT OASIS website (see “How to contact us”). On the NWMT OASIS website, interested parties will find the Transmission Advisory Committee (TRANSAC) meeting minutes, meeting material, non-confidential results and reports. To obtain NWMT’s base case data will require signing a WECC Confidentiality Agreement.
13. What if an interested party has questions about local transmission planning data, assumptions, or other technical details?
Questions can asked at NWMT’s regularly scheduled TRANSAC meetings or Open Public Meetings, which are announced on NWMT’s OASIS website. Questions can also be emailed to NWMT directly, see current contact instructions at:
http://www.oasis.oati.com/NWMT/NWMTdocs/How_To_Contact_Us.doc
14. How will an interested party be notified about changes or updates in the data bases used for local transmission planning?
Such notifications and discussions will take place at the regularly scheduled TRANSAC meetings. Notifications of meeting dates, agenda topics, meeting material and meeting notes are sent to all TRANSAC stakeholders. To become a TRANSAC stakeholder, fill out and submit the “TRANSAC – How to become involved” document found under the “Transmission Planning – TRANSAC” folder on NWMT’s OASIS website:
http://www.oasis.oati.com/NWMT/NWMTdocs/TRANSAC_-_How_to_become_involved.doc
15. How will local transmission plans be presented to stakeholders and other interested parties?
Discussion of the transmission plan and a report describing the transmission plan will be published when the plan is complete. The underlying assumptions, applicable planning criteria, methodology, results and recommendations will be presented as appropriate at TRANSAC or other public meetings. Stakeholders and other interested parties will have the opportunity to participate and comment throughout the planning process through participation in TRANSAC meetings. Please refer to NWMT written document, “Business Practice ETP Methodology, Criteria and Process” document posted in the “Business Practices, Criteria & Forecast” folder under the “Transmission Planning” folder of NWMT’s OASIS website. At the conclusion of the study, the report will include an executive summary, discussions on public input, methodology, the process followed and the plan results. The report is posted on NWMT’s OASIS website. Under the “Transmission Planning” folder, go to the “Biennial Local Area Electric Transmission Plan” folder to see the most recent Local Area Transmission Plan.
16. How will questions about local transmission plans be addressed?
NWMT will address questions at the TRANSAC meetings. If the question author is not a member of TRANSAC, NWMT will provide a response to the author after discussion with TRANSAC members.
17. How will information regarding the status of upgrades identified in the local transmission plan be shared? Will stakeholders have an opportunity to comment?
Updates will be presented at TRANSAC and other public meetings. Through these forums and the local area planning cycle, stakeholders will have the opportunity to discuss, question, or propose alternatives for any upgrades identified by the transmission provider. The first quarter of each year is the window for stakeholder input. Please refer to NWMT written document, “Business Practice ETP Methodology, Criteria and Process” document posted in the “Business Practices, Criteria & Forecast” folder under the “Transmission Planning” folder of NWMT’s OASIS website. In addition, NWMT's final Local Area Electric Transmission System Plan report will discuss the status of upgrades identified in prior plans. The report is posted on NWMT’s OASIS website. Under the “Transmission Planning” folder, go to the “Biennial Local Area Electric Transmission Plan” folder to see the most recent Local Area Transmission Plan.
18. What is Network Resource interconnection Service (NRIS)?
NRIS shall mean an Interconnection Service that allows the Interconnection Customer to integrate its Large Generating Facility with the Transmission Provider’s Transmission System (1) in a manner comparable to that in which the Transmission Provider integrates its generating facilities to serve native load customers; or (2) in an RTO or ISO with market based congestion management, in the same manner as all other Network Resources. Network Resource Interconnection Service in and of itself does not convey transmission service.
19. What is Energy Resource Interconnection Service (ERIS)?
ERIS shall mean an interconnection service that allows the interconnection customer to connect its generating facility to the transmission provider’s transmission system to be eligible to deliver the facility’s electric output using the existing firm or nonfirm capacity of the transmission provider’s transmission system on an “as available” basis. Energy Resource interconnection Service in and of itself does not convey transmission service.
20. Is there a central place to find documents on NorthWestern Energy’s OASIS website?
NorthWestern Energy has a document called “Attachment K Business Practice Links” that maps out available files and documents that meet FERC Order 890 and Order 1000 on the OASIS website: http://www.oasis.oati.com/NWMT/NWMTdocs/Attachment_K_Business_Practice_Links.docx
21. Is there historical information on the Local Area Transmission Planning Process that is not on the OASIS?
NorthWestern Energy maintains an archive of past OASIS postings that are available by request. Requests for past OASIS posting can be made in writing to NWMT by following the contact instructions posted on the OASIS at:
http://www.oasis.oati.com/NWMT/NWMTdocs/How_To_Contact_Us.doc
Frequently_Asked_Questions 1