Texas QSE To Pay $22,500 Under Settlement With PUCT Staff

CPS Energy would pay $22,500 under a settlement with Staff of the Public Utility Commission of Texas to resolve CPS Energy's alleged failure to adhere to Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Protocols §§ 6.5.7.6.2.3(4), related to non-spinning reserve service (NSRS) deployment, and 8.1.1.4.3(3)(b), related to non-spinning reserve service (NSRS) energy deployment criteria on January 18, 2014.

According to the settlement, on January 18, 2014 at 9:05:44 AM, CPS received NSRS deployment instructions for two generators for a total of 79.3 MW. CPS Energy obligated BRAUNIG_VHB6CT5 to deploy 48 MW and BRAUNIG VHB6CT6 to deploy 31.3 MW.

Staff alleges that the CPS resources did not reach 90% of the units' LSL within 25 minutes or dispatch its NSRS resources within 30 minutes as required; additionally, CPS did not properly update the Resources Status Code for BRAUNIG VHB6CT5 and BRAUNIG_VHB6CT6 within 25 minutes, also a protocol requirement.

Pursuant to ERCOT Protocol 8.1.1.4.3(c), CPS Energy requested an exclusion for BRAUNIG VHB6CT5 and CT6. CPS alleged that both units should be excused from compliance with ERCOT Protocols requirements under P.U.C. SUBST. R. 25.503(f)(2)(C) because of equipment failure beyond the reasonable control of CPS.

Pursuant to this provision, Staff elected to not pursue an administrative penalty against CPS for BRAUNIG VHB6CT5.

According to the settlement, "Staff maintains that a penalty is warranted, because BRAUNIG_VHB6CT6 failed to meet the performance criteria of ERCOT Protocols §§ 6.5.7.6.2.3(4) and 8.1.1.4.3(3)(b) on January 18, 2014, and therefore, CPS violated PURA § 39.151(d) and (j) and the requirements of P.U.C. SUBST. R. 25.503(f)(2)."

Docket 44530