Reliability Standard VAR-002-WECC-2 (proposed for retirement)

WECC Standard VAR-002-WECC-2 — Automatic Voltage Regulators

A. Introduction

1. Title:

Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR)

2. Number:

VAR-002-WECC-2

3. Purpose:

To ensure that Automatic Voltage Regulators on synchronous
generators and condensers shall be kept in service and controlling
voltage.

4. Applicability
4.1.

Generator Operators

4.2.

Transmission Operators that operate synchronous condensers

4.3.

This VAR-002-WECC-2 Standard only applies to synchronous
generators and synchronous condensers that are connected to the
Bulk Electric System.

5. Effective Date: On the first day of the first quarter, after applicable regulatory
approval.
B.

Requirements

R1.

Generator Operators and Transmission Operators shall have AVR in
service and in automatic voltage control mode 98% of all operating hours for
synchronous generators or synchronous condensers. Generator Operators
and Transmission Operators may exclude hours for R1.1 through R1.10 to
achieve the 98% requirement. [Violation Risk Factor: Medium] [Time Horizon:
Operations Assessment]
R1.1. The synchronous generator or synchronous condenser operates for less
than five percent of all hours during any calendar quarter.
R1.2. Performing maintenance and testing up to a maximum of seven
calendar days per calendar quarter.
R1.3. AVR exhibits instability due to abnormal system configuration.
R1.4. Due to component failure, the AVR may be out of service up to 60
consecutive days for repair per incident.
R1.5. Due to a component failure, the AVR may be out of service up to one
year provided the Generator Operator or Transmission Operator
submits documentation identifying the need for time to obtain
replacement parts and if required to schedule an outage.
R1.6. Due to a component failure, the AVR may be out of service up to 24
months provided the Generator Operator or Transmission
Operator submits documentation identifying the need for time for
excitation system replacement (replace the AVR, limiters, and controls
but not necessarily the power source and power bridge) and to
1

WECC Standard VAR-002-WECC-2 — Automatic Voltage Regulators

schedule an outage.
R1.7. The synchronous generator or synchronous condenser has not achieved
Commercial Operation.
R1.8. The Transmission Operator directs the Generator Operator to
operate the synchronous generator, and the AVR is unavailable
for service.
R1.9. The Reliability Coordinator directs Transmission Operator to
operate the synchronous condenser, and the AVR is unavailable
for service.
R1.10. If AVR exhibits instability due to operation of a Load Tap Changer
(LTC) transformer in the area, the Transmission Operator may
authorize the Generator Operator to operate the excitation
system in modes other than automatic voltage control until the
system configuration changes.
C. Measures

M1.

Generator Operators and Transmission Operators shall provide quarterly
reports to the compliance monitor and have evidence for each synchronous
generator and synchronous condenser of the following:
M1.1 The actual number of hours the synchronous generator or
synchronous condenser was on line.
M1.2 The actual number of hours the AVR was out of service.
M1.3 The AVR in service percentage.
M1.4 If excluding AVR out of service hours as allowed in R1.1 through
R1.10, provide:

D.

M1.4.1

The number of hours excluded,

M1.4.2

The adjusted AVR in-service percentage,

M1.4.3

The date of the outage.

Compliance

1.

Compliance Monitoring Process
1.1

Compliance Monitoring Responsibility
Compliance Enforcement Authority

1.2

Compliance Monitoring Period
Compliance Enforcement Authority may use one or more of the
following methods to assess compliance:
- Reports submitted quarterly
- Spot check audits conducted anytime with 30 days notice
2

WECC Standard VAR-002-WECC-2 — Automatic Voltage Regulators

- Periodic audit as scheduled by the Compliance Enforcement Authority
- Investigations
- Other methods as provided for in the Compliance Monitoring
Enforcement Program
The Reset Time Frame shall be a calendar quarter.
1.3

Data Retention
The Generator Operators and Transmission Operators shall keep
evidence for Measures M1 for three years plus current year,
or since the last audit, whichever is longer.

1.4

Additional Compliance Information
1.4.1 The sanctions shall be assessed on a calendar quarter
basis.
1.4.2 If any of R1.2 through R1.9 continues from one quarter to
another, the number of days accumulated will be the
contiguous calendar days from the beginning of the
incident to the end of the incident. For example, in R1.4 if
the 60 day repair period goes beyond the end of a quarter,
the repair period does not reset at the beginning of the
next quarter.

E.

1.4.3

When calculating the in-service percentages, do not include the
time the AVR is out of service due to R1.1 through R1.10.

1.4.4

The standard shall be applied on a machine-by-machine basis (a
Generator Operator or Transmission Operator can be subject to a
separate sanction for each non-compliant synchronous generator
and synchronous condenser).

Regional Differences

None

3

WECC Standard VAR-002-WECC-2 — Automatic Voltage Regulators
Table of Compliance Elements

R
R1

Time Horizon
Operational
Assessment

VRF
Medium

Lower VSL
There shall be a
Lower Level of
non-compliance
if AVR is in
service less than
98% but at least
90% or more of
all hours during
which the
synchronous
generating unit
or synchronous
condenser is on
line for each
calendar
quarter.

Violation Severity Levels
Moderate VSL
High VSL
There shall
There shall be a
be a
High Level of noncompliance if AVR
Moderate
Level of nonis in service less
than 80% but at
compliance
least 70% or more
if AVR is in
of all hours during
service less
which the
than 90%
synchronous
but at least
generating unit or
80% or
synchronous
more of all
condenser is on
hours
line for each
during
calendar quarter.
which the
synchronou
s generating
unit or
synchronou
s condenser
is on line for
each
calendar
quarter.

Severe VSL
There
shall be a
Severe
Level of
noncomplian
ce if AVR
is in
service
less than
70% of all
hours
during
which
the
synchron
ous
generatin
g unit or
synchron
ous
condense
r is on
line for
each
calendar
quarter.

4

WECC Standard VAR-002-WECC-2 — Automatic Voltage Regulators
Version History

Version

Date

Action

1

April 16, 2008

Permanent Replacement Standard
for VAR-STD-002a-1

1

April 21, 2011

FERC Order issued approving VAR002-WECC-1 (FERC approval
effective June 27, 2011; Effective
Date July 1, 2011)

2

November 13,
2014

Adopted by NERC Board of Trustees

Change Tracking

5