NUC-001-2 (Reliability Standard)

Standard NUC-001-2 — Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination
A. Introduction
1.

Title:

Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination

2.

Number:

NUC-001-2

3.

Purpose:
This standard requires coordination between Nuclear Plant Generator Operators
and Transmission Entities for the purpose of ensuring nuclear plant safe operation and
shutdown.

4.

Applicability:
4.1. Nuclear Plant Generator Operator.
4.2. Transmission Entities shall mean all entities that are responsible for providing services
related to Nuclear Plant Interface Requirements (NPIRs). Such entities may include one
or more of the following:
4.2.1

Transmission Operators.

4.2.2

Transmission Owners.

4.2.3

Transmission Planners.

4.2.4

Transmission Service Providers.

4.2.5

Balancing Authorities.

4.2.6

Reliability Coordinators.

4.2.7

Planning Coordinators.

4.2.8

Distribution Providers.

4.2.9

Load-serving Entities.

4.2.10 Generator Owners.
4.2.11 Generator Operators.
5.

Effective Date:

April 1, 2010

B. Requirements
R1.

The Nuclear Plant Generator Operator shall provide the proposed NPIRs in writing to the
applicable Transmission Entities and shall verify receipt [Risk Factor: Lower]

R2.

The Nuclear Plant Generator Operator and the applicable Transmission Entities shall have in
effect one or more Agreements1 that include mutually agreed to NPIRs and document how the
Nuclear Plant Generator Operator and the applicable Transmission Entities shall address and
implement these NPIRs. [Risk Factor: Medium]

R3.

Per the Agreements developed in accordance with this standard, the applicable Transmission
Entities shall incorporate the NPIRs into their planning analyses of the electric system and shall
communicate the results of these analyses to the Nuclear Plant Generator Operator. [Risk
Factor: Medium]

R4.

Per the Agreements developed in accordance with this standard, the applicable Transmission
Entities shall: [Risk Factor: High]

1. Agreements may include mutually agreed upon procedures or protocols in effect between entities or between
departments of a vertically integrated system.
Adopted by NERC Board of Trustees: August 5, 2009
Effective Date: April 1, 2010

1

Standard NUC-001-2 — Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination
R4.1.

Incorporate the NPIRs into their operating analyses of the electric system.

R4.2.

Operate the electric system to meet the NPIRs.

R4.3.

Inform the Nuclear Plant Generator Operator when the ability to assess the operation
of the electric system affecting NPIRs is lost.

R5.

The Nuclear Plant Generator Operator shall operate per the Agreements developed in
accordance with this standard. [Risk Factor: High]

R6.

Per the Agreements developed in accordance with this standard, the applicable Transmission
Entities and the Nuclear Plant Generator Operator shall coordinate outages and maintenance
activities which affect the NPIRs. [Risk Factor: Medium]

R7.

Per the Agreements developed in accordance with this standard, the Nuclear Plant Generator
Operator shall inform the applicable Transmission Entities of actual or proposed changes to
nuclear plant design, configuration, operations, limits, protection systems, or capabilities that
may impact the ability of the electric system to meet the NPIRs. [Risk Factor: High]

R8.

Per the Agreements developed in accordance with this standard, the applicable Transmission
Entities shall inform the Nuclear Plant Generator Operator of actual or proposed changes to
electric system design, configuration, operations, limits, protection systems, or capabilities that
may impact the ability of the electric system to meet the NPIRs. [Risk Factor: High]

R9.

The Nuclear Plant Generator Operator and the applicable Transmission Entities shall include,
as a minimum, the following elements within the agreement(s) identified in R2: [Risk Factor:
Medium]
R9.1.

Administrative elements:
R9.1.1. Definitions of key terms used in the agreement.
R9.1.2. Names of the responsible entities, organizational relationships, and
responsibilities related to the NPIRs.
R9.1.3. A requirement to review the agreement(s) at least every three years.
R9.1.4. A dispute resolution mechanism.

R9.2.

Technical requirements and analysis:
R9.2.1. Identification of parameters, limits, configurations, and operating scenarios
included in the NPIRs and, as applicable, procedures for providing any
specific data not provided within the agreement.
R9.2.2. Identification of facilities, components, and configuration restrictions that
are essential for meeting the NPIRs.
R9.2.3. Types of planning and operational analyses performed specifically to
support the NPIRs, including the frequency of studies and types of
Contingencies and scenarios required.

R9.3.

Operations and maintenance coordination:
R9.3.1. Designation of ownership of electrical facilities at the interface between the
electric system and the nuclear plant and responsibilities for operational
control coordination and maintenance of these facilities.
R9.3.2. Identification of any maintenance requirements for equipment not owned or
controlled by the Nuclear Plant Generator Operator that are necessary to
meet the NPIRs.

Adopted by NERC Board of Trustees: August 5, 2009
Effective Date: April 1, 2010

2

Standard NUC-001-2 — Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination
R9.3.3. Coordination of testing, calibration and maintenance of on-site and off-site
power supply systems and related components.
R9.3.4. Provisions to address mitigating actions needed to avoid violating NPIRs
and to address periods when responsible Transmission Entity loses the
ability to assess the capability of the electric system to meet the NPIRs.
These provisions shall include responsibility to notify the Nuclear Plant
Generator Operator within a specified time frame.
R9.3.5. Provision for considering, within the restoration process, the requirements
and urgency of a nuclear plant that has lost all off-site and on-site AC
power. .
R9.3.6. Coordination of physical and cyber security protection of the Bulk Electric
System at the nuclear plant interface to ensure each asset is covered under at
least one entity’s plan.
R9.3.7. Coordination of the NPIRs with transmission system Special Protection
Systems and underfrequency and undervoltage load shedding programs.
R9.4.

Communications and training:
R9.4.1. Provisions for communications between the Nuclear Plant Generator
Operator and Transmission Entities, including communications protocols,
notification time requirements, and definitions of terms.
R9.4.2. Provisions for coordination during an off-normal or emergency event
affecting the NPIRs, including the need to provide timely information
explaining the event, an estimate of when the system will be returned to a
normal state, and the actual time the system is returned to normal.
R9.4.3. Provisions for coordinating investigations of causes of unplanned events
affecting the NPIRs and developing solutions to minimize future risk of
such events.
R9.4.4. Provisions for supplying information necessary to report to government
agencies, as related to NPIRs.
R9.4.5. Provisions for personnel training, as related to NPIRs.

C. Measures
M1. The Nuclear Plant Generator Operator shall, upon request of the Compliance Enforcement
Authority, provide a copy of the transmittal and receipt of transmittal of the proposed NPIRs to
the responsible Transmission Entities. (Requirement 1)
M2. The Nuclear Plant Generator Operator and each Transmission Entity shall each have a copy of
the Agreement(s) addressing the elements in Requirement 9 available for inspection upon
request of the Compliance Enforcement Authority. (Requirement 2 and 9)
M3. Each Transmission Entity responsible for planning analyses in accordance with the Agreement
shall, upon request of the Compliance Enforcement Authority, provide a copy of the planning
analyses results transmitted to the Nuclear Plant Generator Operator, showing incorporation of
the NPIRs. The Compliance Enforcement Authority shall refer to the Agreements developed
in accordance with this standard for specific requirements. (Requirement 3)
M4. Each Transmission Entity responsible for operating the electric system in accordance with the
Agreement shall demonstrate or provide evidence of the following, upon request of the
Compliance Enforcement Authority:
Adopted by NERC Board of Trustees: August 5, 2009
Effective Date: April 1, 2010

3

Standard NUC-001-2 — Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination
M4.1

The NPIRs have been incorporated into the current operating analysis of the electric
system. (Requirement 4.1)

M4.2

The electric system was operated to meet the NPIRs. (Requirement 4.2)

M4.3

The Transmission Entity informed the Nuclear Plant Generator Operator when it
became aware it lost the capability to assess the operation of the electric system
affecting the NPIRs. (Requirement 4.3)

M5. The Nuclear Plant Generator Operator shall, upon request of the Compliance Enforcement
Authority, demonstrate or provide evidence that the Nuclear Power Plant is being operated
consistent with the Agreements developed in accordance with this standard. (Requirement 5)
M6. The Transmission Entities and Nuclear Plant Generator Operator shall, upon request of the
Compliance Enforcement Authority, provide evidence of the coordination between the
Transmission Entities and the Nuclear Plant Generator Operator regarding outages and
maintenance activities which affect the NPIRs. (Requirement 6)
M7. The Nuclear Plant Generator Operator shall provide evidence that it informed the applicable
Transmission Entities of changes to nuclear plant design, configuration, operations, limits,
protection systems, or capabilities that would impact the ability of the Transmission Entities to
meet the NPIRs. (Requirement 7)
M8. The Transmission Entities shall each provide evidence that it informed the Nuclear Plant
Generator Operator of changes to electric system design, configuration, operations, limits,
protection systems, or capabilities that would impact the ability of the Nuclear Plant Generator
Operator to meet the NPIRs. (Requirement 8)
D. Compliance
1.

Compliance Monitoring Process
1.1. Compliance Enforcement Authority
Regional Entity.
1.2. Compliance Monitoring Period and Reset Time Frame
Not applicable.
1.3. Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Processes:
Compliance Audits
Self-Certifications
Spot Checking
Compliance Violation Investigations
Self-Reporting
Complaints
1.4. Data Retention
The Responsible Entity shall keep data or evidence to show compliance as identified below
unless directed by its Compliance Enforcement Authority to retain specific evidence for a
longer period of time as part of an investigation:


For Measure 1, the Nuclear Plant Generator Operator shall keep its latest
transmittals and receipts.

Adopted by NERC Board of Trustees: August 5, 2009
Effective Date: April 1, 2010

4

Standard NUC-001-2 — Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination


For Measure 2, the Nuclear Plant Generator Operator and each Transmission
Entity shall have its current, in-force agreement.



For Measure 3, the Transmission Entity shall have the latest planning analysis
results.



For Measures 4.3, 6 and 8, the Transmission Entity shall keep evidence for two
years plus current.



For Measures 5, 6 and 7, the Nuclear Plant Generator Operator shall keep
evidence for two years plus current.

If a Responsible Entity is found non-compliant it shall keep information related to the
noncompliance until found compliant.
The Compliance Enforcement Authority shall keep the last audit records and all
requested and submitted subsequent audit records.
1.5. Additional Compliance Information
None.
2.

Violation Severity Levels
2.1. Lower: Agreement(s) exist per this standard and NPIRs were identified and
implemented, but documentation described in M1-M8 was not provided.
2.2. Moderate:
Agreement(s) exist per R2 and NPIRs were identified and implemented,
but one or more elements of the Agreement in R9 were not met.
2.3. High: One or more requirements of R3 through R8 were not met.
2.4. Severe: No proposed NPIRs were submitted per R1, no Agreement exists per this
standard, or the Agreements were not implemented.

E. Regional Differences
The design basis for Canadian (CANDU) NPPs does not result in the same licensing requirements as
U.S. NPPs. NRC design criteria specifies that in addition to emergency on-site electrical power,
electrical power from the electric network also be provided to permit safe shutdown. This requirement
is specified in such NRC Regulations as 10 CFR 50 Appendix A — General Design Criterion 17 and
10 CFR 50.63 Loss of all alternating current power. There are no equivalent Canadian Regulatory
requirements for Station Blackout (SBO) or coping times as they do not form part of the licensing
basis for CANDU NPPs.
Therefore the definition of NPLR for Canadian CANDU units will be as follows:
Nuclear Plant Licensing Requirements (NPLR) are requirements included in the design basis
of the nuclear plant and are statutorily mandated for the operation of the plant; when used in this
standard, NPLR shall mean nuclear power plant licensing requirements for avoiding preventable
challenges to nuclear safety as a result of an electric system disturbance, transient, or condition.
F. Associated Documents
Version History
Version

Date

Action

Change Tracking

1

May 2, 2007

Approved by Board of Trustees

New

2

To be determined

Modifications for Order 716 to Requirement R9.3.5

Revision

Adopted by NERC Board of Trustees: August 5, 2009
Effective Date: April 1, 2010

5

Standard NUC-001-2 — Nuclear Plant Interface Coordination
and footnote 1; modifications to bring compliance
elements into conformance with the latest version of
the ERO Rules of Procedure.
2

August 5, 2009

Adopted by Board of Trustees

Revised

2

January 22, 2010

Approved by FERC on January 21, 2010
Added Effective Date

Update

Adopted by NERC Board of Trustees: August 5, 2009
Effective Date: April 1, 2010

6