Var-002-wecc-1

WECC Standard VAR-002-WECC-1 — Automatic Voltage Regulators
A. Introduction
1. Title:

Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR)

2. Number:

VAR-002-WECC-1

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-1 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 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.
R2.

Generator Operators and Transmission Operators shall have documentation identifying

Adopted by Board of Trustees: October 29, 2008

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WECC Standard VAR-002-WECC-1 — Automatic Voltage Regulators
the number of hours excluded for each requirement in R1.1 through R1.10. [Violation
Risk Factor: Low] [Time Horizon: Operations Assessment]

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:
M1.4.1 The number of hours excluded, and
M1.4.2 The adjusted AVR in-service percentage.

M2. If excluding hours for R1.1 through R1.10, provide the date of the outage, the number of
hours out of service, and supporting documentation for each requirement that applies.
D. Compliance
1. Compliance Monitoring Process
1.1
1.2

Compliance Monitoring Responsibility
Compliance Enforcement Authority
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
- 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 and M2 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.

Adopted by Board of Trustees: October 29, 2008

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WECC Standard VAR-002-WECC-1 — Automatic Voltage Regulators
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).

2. Violation Severity Levels for R1
2.1. Lower: There shall be a Lower Level of non-compliance if the following condition exists:
2.1.1.

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.

2.2. Moderate: There shall be a Moderate Level of non-compliance if the following condition
exists:
2.2.1.

AVR is in service less than 90% but at least 80% or more of all hours during
which the synchronous generating unit or synchronous condenser is on line for
each calendar quarter.

2.3. High: There shall be a High Level of non-compliance if the following condition exists:
2.3.1.

AVR is in service less than 80% but at least 70% or more of all hours during
which the synchronous generating unit or synchronous condenser is on line for
each calendar quarter.

2.4. Severe: There shall be a Severe Level of non-compliance if the following condition
exists:
2.4.1.

AVR is in service less than 70% of all hours during which the synchronous
generating unit or synchronous condenser is on line for each calendar quarter.

3. Violation Severity Levels for R2
3.1. Lower: There shall be a Lower Level of non-compliance if documentation is incomplete
with any requirement R1.1 through R1.10.
3.2. Moderate: There shall be a Moderate Level of non-compliance if the Generator Operator
does not have documentation to demonstrate compliance with any requirement R1.1
through R1.10.
3.3. High: Not Applicable
3.4. Severe: Not Applicable
E. Regional Differences
Version History — Shows Approval History and Summary of Changes in the Action Field
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 (approval effective June
27, 2011)

Adopted by Board of Trustees: October 29, 2008

Change Tracking

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