Reliabilty Standard EOP-010-1

EOP-010-1 — Geomagnetic Disturbance Operations

A. Introduction
1.

Title: Geomagnetic Disturbance Operations

2.

Number:

3.

Purpose: To mitigate the effects of geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) events by
implementing Operating Plans, Processes, and Procedures.

4.

Applicability:

EOP-010-1

4.1. Functional Entities: 
4.1.1
4.1.2

5.

Reliability Coordinator
Transmission Operator with a Transmission Operator Area that includes a
power transformer with a high side wye-grounded winding with terminal
voltage greater than 200 kV
Background:
Geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) events have the potential to adversely impact the
reliable operation of interconnected transmission systems. During a GMD event,
geomagnetically-induced currents (GIC) may cause transformer hot-spot heating or
damage, loss of Reactive Power sources, increased Reactive Power demand, and
Protection System Misoperation, the combination of which may result in voltage
collapse and blackout.

6.

Effective Date:
The first day of the first calendar quarter that is six months after the date that this
standard is approved by an applicable governmental authority or as otherwise provided
for in a jurisdiction where approval by an applicable governmental authority is required
for a standard to go into effect. Where approval by an applicable governmental
authority is not required, the standard shall become effective on the first day of the first
calendar quarter that is six months after the date this standard is adopted by the NERC
Board of Trustees or as otherwise provided for in that jurisdiction.

B. Requirements and Measures
R1. Each Reliability Coordinator shall develop, maintain, and implement a GMD Operating
Plan that coordinates GMD Operating Procedures or Operating Processes within its
Reliability Coordinator Area. At a minimum, the GMD Operating Plan shall include:
[Violation Risk Factor: Medium] [Time Horizon: Long-term Planning, Operations
Planning, Same-day Operations, Real-time Operations]
1.1 A description of activities designed to mitigate the effects of GMD events on the
reliable operation of the interconnected transmission system within the
Reliability Coordinator Area.
1.2 A process for the Reliability Coordinator to review the GMD Operating
Procedures or Operating Processes of Transmission Operators within its
Reliability Coordinator Area.

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EOP-010-1 — Geomagnetic Disturbance Operations

M1. Each Reliability Coordinator shall have a current GMD Operating Plan meeting all the
provisions of Requirement R1; evidence such as a review or revision history to indicate
that the GMD Operating Plan has been maintained; and evidence to show that the plan
was implemented as called for in its GMD Operating Plan, such as dated operator logs,
voice recordings, or voice transcripts.
R2. Each Reliability Coordinator shall disseminate forecasted and current space weather
information to functional entities identified as recipients in the Reliability
Coordinator's GMD Operating Plan. [Violation Risk Factor: Medium] [Time Horizon:
Same-day Operations, Real-time Operations]
M2. Each Reliability Coordinator shall have evidence such as dated operator logs, voice
recordings, transcripts, or electronic communications to indicate that forecasted and
current space weather information was disseminated as stated in its GMD Operating
Plan.
R3. Each Transmission Operator shall develop, maintain, and implement a GMD
Operating Procedure or Operating Process to mitigate the effects of GMD events on
the reliable operation of its respective system. At a minimum, the Operating Procedure
or Operating Process shall include: [Violation Risk Factor: Medium] [Time Horizon:
Long-term Planning, Operations Planning, Same-day Operations, Real-Time
Operations]
3.1. Steps or tasks to receive space weather information.
3.2. System Operator actions to be initiated based on predetermined conditions.
3.3. The conditions for terminating the Operating Procedure or Operating Process.
M3. Each Transmission Operator shall have a GMD Operating Procedure or Operating
Process meeting all the provisions of Requirement R3; evidence such as a review or
revision history to indicate that the GMD Operating Procedure or Operating Process
has been maintained; and evidence to show that the Operating Procedure or Operating
Process was implemented as called for in its GMD Operating Procedure or Operating
Process, such as dated operator logs, voice recordings, or voice transcripts.

C. Compliance
1.

Compliance Monitoring Process
1.1. Compliance Enforcement Authority
As defined in the NERC Rules of Procedure, “Compliance Enforcement
Authority” (CEA) means NERC or the Regional Entity in their respective roles of
monitoring and enforcing compliance with the NERC Reliability Standards.
1.2. Evidence Retention
The following evidence retention periods identify the period of time an entity is
required to retain specific evidence to demonstrate compliance. For instances
where the evidence retention period specified below is shorter than the time since

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EOP-010-1 — Geomagnetic Disturbance Operations

the last audit, the CEA may ask an entity to provide other evidence to show that it
was compliant for the full time period since the last audit.
The Reliability Coordinator and Transmission Operator shall keep data or
evidence to show compliance as identified below unless directed by its CEA to
retain specific evidence for a longer period of time as part of an investigation:
The responsible entities shall retain documentation as evidence for three years.
If a responsible entity is found non-compliant, it shall keep information related to
the non-compliance until mitigation is complete and approved or for the time
specified above, whichever is longer.
The CEA shall keep the last audit records and all requested and submitted
subsequent audit records.
1.3. Compliance Monitoring and Assessment Processes:
Compliance Audit
Self-Certification
Spot Check
Compliance Investigation
Self-Reporting
Complaint
1.4. Additional Compliance Information
None

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EOP-010-1 — Geomagnetic Disturbance Operations

Table of Compliance Elements
R#

Time
Horizon

VRF

Violation Severity Levels
Lower VSL

R1

Long-term
Planning,
Operations
Planning,
Same-day
Operations,
Real-time
Operations

Medium The Reliability
Coordinator had a
GMD Operating Plan,
but failed to maintain
it.

R2

Same-day
Operations,
Real-time
Operations

Medium N/A

R3

Long-term
Planning,
Operations
Planning,

Medium The Transmission
Operator had a GMD
Operating Procedure
or Operating Process,

Moderate VSL

N/A

High VSL

Severe VSL

The Reliability
Coordinator's GMD
Operating Plan failed
to include one of the
required elements as
listed in Requirement
R1, parts 1.1 or 1.2.

The Reliability
Coordinator did not
have a GMD
Operating Plan

N/A

N/A

The Reliability
Coordinator failed to
disseminate forecasted
and current space
weather information to
all functional entities
identified as recipients
in the Reliability
Coordinator's GMD
Operating Plan.

The Transmission
Operator's GMD
Operating Procedure
or Operating Process

The Transmission
Operator's GMD
Operating Procedure or
Operating Process

The Transmission
Operator did not have
a GMD Operating
Procedure or Operating

OR
The Reliability
Coordinator failed to
implement a GMD
Operating Plan within
its Reliability
Coordinator Area.

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EOP-010-1 — Geomagnetic Disturbance Operations

Same-day
Operations,
Real-time
Operations

but failed to maintain
it.

failed to include one of
the required elements
as listed in
Requirement R3, parts
3.1 through 3.3.

failed to include two or
more of the required
elements as listed in
Requirement R3, parts
3.1 through 3.3.

Process
OR
The Transmission
Operator failed to
implement its GMD
Operating Procedure or
Operating Process.

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EOP-010-1 — Geomagnetic Disturbance Operations

D. Regional Variances
None.
E. Interpretations
None.
F. Guideline and Technical Basis
During development of this standard, text boxes were embedded within the standard to explain
the rationale for various parts of the standard. Upon BOT approval, the text from the rationale
text boxes was moved to this section.
Rationale for R1:
An Operating Plan is implemented by carrying out its stated actions.
Coordination is intended to ensure that Operating Procedures are not in conflict with one
another. An Operating Plan is maintained when it is kept relevant by taking into consideration
system configuration, conditions, or operating experience, as needed to accomplish its purpose.
Elements of Requirement R1 take place in various time horizons. Development of the GMD
Operating Plan occurs in the Long-Term Planning Time Horizon. Maintenance of the GMD
Operating Plan occurs in the Operations Planning Time Horizon. Implementation of the GMD
Operating Plan occurs in the Operations Planning, Same-Day and Real-Time Time Horizons.
Rationale for R2:
Requirement R2 replaces IRO-005-3.1a, Requirement R3. IRO-005-4 has been adopted by the
NERC Board and filed with FERC, and will retire IRO-005-3.1a Requirement R3. If EOP-010-1
becomes effective prior to the retirement of IRO-005-3.1a, Requirement R2 shall become
effective on the first day following retirement of IRO-005-3.1a.
Space weather forecast information can be used for situational awareness and safe posturing of
the system. Current space weather information can be used for monitoring progress of a GMD
event.
The Reliability Coordinator is responsible for disseminating space weather information to ensure
coordination and consistent awareness in its Reliability Coordinator Area.
Rationale for R3:
In developing an Operating Procedure or Operating Process, an entity may consider entityspecific factors such as geography, geology, and system topology.
An Operating Procedure or Operating Process is maintained when it is kept relevant by taking
into consideration system configuration, conditions, or operating experience, as needed to
accomplish its purpose.

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EOP-010-1 — Geomagnetic Disturbance Operations

Version History
Version
1

Date

Action

11/07/2013

Adopted by the NERC Board of
Trustees

Change Tracking

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