RM17-12 Reliability Standard EOP-005-3

EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

A. Introduction
1.

Title:

System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

2.

Number:

EOP-005-3

3.

Purpose: Ensure plans, Facilities, and personnel are prepared to enable System
restoration from Blackstart Resources to ensure reliability is maintained during
restoration and priority is placed on restoring the Interconnection.

4.

Applicability:
4.1. Functional Entities:
4.1.1. Transmission Operators
4.1.2. Generator Operators
4.1.3. Transmission Owners identified in the Transmission Operators
restoration plan
4.1.4. Distribution Providers identified in the Transmission Operators
restoration plan

5.

Effective Date: See the Implementation Plan for EOP-005-3.

6.

Standard-Only Definition: None

B. Requirements and Measures
R1.

Each Transmission Operator shall develop and implement a restoration plan approved
by its Reliability Coordinator. The restoration plan shall be implemented to restore
the Transmission Operator’s System following a Disturbance in which one or more
areas of the Bulk Electric System (BES) shuts down and the use of Blackstart Resources
is required to restore the shutdown area to a state whereby the choice of the next
Load to be restored is not driven by the need to control frequency or voltage
regardless of whether the Blackstart Resource is located within the Transmission
Operator’s System. The restoration plan shall include: [Violation Risk Factor = High]
[Time Horizon = Operations Planning, Real-time Operations]
1.1. Strategies for System restoration that are coordinated with its Reliability
Coordinator’s high level strategy for restoring the Interconnection.
1.2. A description of how all Agreements or mutually-agreed upon procedures or
protocols for off-site power requirements of nuclear power plants, including
priority of restoration, will be fulfilled during System restoration.
1.3. Procedures for restoring interconnections with other Transmission Operators
under the direction of its Reliability Coordinator.
1.4. Identification of each Blackstart Resource and its characteristics including but
not limited to the following: the name of the Blackstart Resource, location,
megawatt and megavar capacity, and type of unit.

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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

1.5. Identification of Cranking Paths and initial switching requirements between each
Blackstart Resource and the unit(s) to be started.
1.6. Identification of acceptable operating voltage and frequency limits during
restoration.
1.7. Operating Processes to reestablish connections within the Transmission
Operator’s System for areas that have been restored and are prepared for
reconnection.
1.8. Operating Processes to restore Loads required to restore the System, such as
station service for substations, units to be restarted or stabilized, the Load
needed to stabilize generation and frequency, and provide voltage control.
1.9. Operating Processes for transferring operations back to the Balancing Authority
in accordance with its Reliability Coordinator’s criteria.
M1. Each Transmission Operator shall have a dated, documented System restoration plan
developed in accordance with Requirement R1 that has been approved by its
Reliability Coordinator as shown with the documented approval from its Reliability
Coordinator and will have evidence, such as operator logs, voice recordings or other
operating documentation, voice recordings or other communication documentation
to show that its restoration plan was implemented for times when a Disturbance has
occurred, in accordance with Requirement R1.
R2.

Each Transmission Operator shall provide the entities identified in its approved
restoration plan with a description of any changes to their roles and specific tasks
prior to the effective date of the plan. [Violation Risk Factor = Medium] [Time Horizon
= Operations Planning]

M2. Each Transmission Operator shall have evidence such as dated electronic receipts or
registered mail receipts that it provided the entities identified in its approved
restoration plan with a description of any changes to their roles and specific tasks
prior to the effective date of the plan in accordance with Requirement R2.
R3.

Each Transmission Operator shall review its restoration plan and submit it to its
Reliability Coordinator annually on a mutually-agreed, predetermined schedule.
[Violation Risk Factor = Medium] [Time Horizon = Operations Planning]

M3. Each Transmission Operator shall have documentation such as a dated review
signature sheet, revision histories, dated electronic receipts, or registered mail
receipts, that it has annually reviewed and submitted the Transmission Operator’s
restoration plan to its Reliability Coordinator in accordance with Requirement R3.
R4.

Each Transmission Operator shall submit its revised restoration plan to its Reliability
Coordinator for approval, when the revision would change its ability to implement its
restoration plan, as follows: [Violation Risk Factor = Medium] [Time Horizon =
Operations Planning]

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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

4.1. Within 90 calendar days after identifying any unplanned permanent BES
modifications.
4.2. Prior to implementing a planned permanent BES modification subject to its
Reliability Coordinator approval requirements per EOP-006.
M4. Each Transmission Operator shall have documentation such as dated review signature
sheets, revision histories, dated electronic receipts, or registered mail receipts, that it
has submitted the revised restoration plan to its Reliability Coordinator in accordance
with Requirement R4.
R5.

Each Transmission Operator shall have a copy of its latest Reliability Coordinator
approved restoration plan within its primary and backup control rooms so that it is
available to all of its System Operators prior to its effective date. [Violation Risk Factor
= Lower] [Time Horizon = Operations Planning]

M5. Each Transmission Operator shall have documentation that it has made the latest
Reliability Coordinator approved copy of its restoration plan, in electronic or hardcopy
format, in its primary and backup control rooms and available to its System Operators
prior to its effective date in accordance with Requirement R5.
R6.

Each Transmission Operator shall verify through analysis of actual events, a
combination of steady state and dynamic simulations, or testing that its restoration
plan accomplishes its intended function. This shall be completed at least once every
five years. Such analysis, simulations or testing shall verify: [Violation Risk Factor =
Medium] [Time Horizon = Long-term Planning]
6.1. The capability of Blackstart Resources to meet the Real and Reactive Power
requirements of the Cranking Paths and the dynamic capability to supply initial
Loads.
6.2. The location and magnitude of Loads required to control voltages and frequency
within acceptable operating limits.
6.3. The capability of generating resources required to control voltages and
frequency within acceptable operating limits.

M6. Each Transmission Operator shall have documentation, such as power flow outputs,
that it has verified that its latest restoration plan will accomplish its intended function
in accordance with Requirement R6.
R7.

Each Transmission Operator shall have Blackstart Resource testing requirements to
verify that each Blackstart Resource is capable of meeting the requirements of its
restoration plan. These Blackstart Resource testing requirements shall include:
[Violation Risk Factor = Medium] [Time Horizon = Operations Planning]
7.1. The frequency of testing such that each Blackstart Resource is tested at least
once every three calendar years.
7.2. A list of required tests including:

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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

7.2.1. The ability to start the unit when isolated with no support from the BES
or when designed to remain energized without connection to the
remainder of the System.
7.2.2. The ability to energize a bus. If it is not possible to energize a bus during
the test, the testing entity must affirm that the unit has the capability to
energize a bus such as verifying that the breaker close coil relay can be
energized with the voltage and frequency monitor controls disconnected
from the synchronizing circuits.
7.3. The minimum duration of each of the required tests.
M7. Each Transmission Operator shall have documented Blackstart Resource testing
requirements in accordance with Requirement R7.
R8.

Each Transmission Operator shall include within its operations training program,
annual System restoration training for its System Operators. This training program
shall include training on the following: [Violation Risk Factor = Medium] [Time Horizon
= Operations Planning]
8.1. System restoration plan including coordination with its Reliability Coordinator
and Generator Operators included in the restoration plan.
8.2. Restoration priorities.
8.3. Building of cranking paths.
8.4. Synchronizing (re-energized sections of the System).
8.5. Transition of Demand and resource balance within its area to the Balancing
Authority.

M8. Each Transmission Operator shall have an electronic or hard copy of the training
program material provided for its System Operators for System restoration training in
accordance with Requirement R8.
R9.

Each Transmission Operator, each applicable Transmission Owner, and each
applicable Distribution Provider shall provide a minimum of two hours of System
restoration training every two calendar years to their field switching personnel
identified as performing unique tasks associated with the Transmission Operator’s
restoration plan that are outside of their normal tasks. [Violation Risk Factor =
Medium] [Time Horizon = Operations Planning]

M9. Each Transmission Operator, each applicable Transmission Owner, and each
applicable Distribution Provider shall have an electronic or hard copy of the training
program material provided to their field switching personnel for System restoration
training and the corresponding training records including training dates and duration
in accordance with Requirement R9.

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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

R10. Each Transmission Operator shall participate in its Reliability Coordinator’s restoration
drills, exercises, or simulations as requested by its Reliability Coordinator. [Violation
Risk Factor = Medium] [Time Horizon = Operations Planning]
M10. Each Transmission Operator shall have evidence that it participated in its Reliability
Coordinator’s restoration drills, exercises, or simulations as requested in accordance
with Requirement R10.
R11. Each Transmission Operator and each Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource
shall have written Blackstart Resource Agreements or mutually agreed upon
procedures or protocols, specifying the terms and conditions of their arrangement.
Such Agreements shall include references to the Blackstart Resource testing
requirements. [Violation Risk Factor = Medium] [Time Horizon = Operations Planning]
M11. Each Transmission Operator and Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource shall
have the dated Blackstart Resource Agreements or mutually agreed upon procedures
or protocols in accordance with Requirement R11.
R12. Each Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource shall have documented
procedures for starting each Blackstart Resource and energizing a bus. [Violation Risk
Factor = Medium] [Time Horizon = Operations Planning]
M12. Each Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource shall have dated documented
procedures on file for starting each unit and energizing a bus in accordance with
Requirement R12.
R13. Each Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource shall notify its Transmission
Operator of any known changes to the capabilities of that Blackstart Resource
affecting the ability to meet the Transmission Operator’s restoration plan within 24
hours following such change. [Violation Risk Factor = Medium] [Time Horizon =
Operations Planning]
M13. Each Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource shall provide evidence, such as
dated electronic receipts or registered mail receipts, showing that it notified its
Transmission Operator of any known changes to its Blackstart Resource capabilities
within 24 hours of such changes in accordance with Requirement R13.
R14. Each Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource shall perform Blackstart
Resource tests, and maintain records of such testing, in accordance with the testing
requirements set by the Transmission Operator to verify that the Blackstart Resource
can perform as specified in the restoration plan. [Violation Risk Factor = Medium]
[Time Horizon = Operations Planning]
14.1. Testing records shall include at a minimum: name of the Blackstart Resource,
unit tested, date of the test, duration of the test, time required to start the unit,
an indication of any testing requirements not met under Requirement R7.
14.2. Each Generator Operator shall provide the blackstart test results within 30
calendar days following a request from its Reliability Coordinator or
Transmission Operator.
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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

M14. Each Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource shall maintain dated
documentation of its Blackstart Resource test results and shall have evidence such as
e-mails with receipts or registered mail receipts, that it provided these records to its
Reliability Coordinator and Transmission Operator when requested in accordance
with Requirement R14.
R15. Each Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource shall provide a minimum of two
hours of training every two calendar years to each of its operating personnel
responsible for the startup of its Blackstart Resource generation units and energizing a
bus. The training program shall include training on the following: [Violation Risk
Factor = Medium] [Time Horizon = Operations Planning]
15.1. System restoration plan including coordination with the Transmission Operator
15.2. The procedures documented in Requirement R12
M15. Each Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource shall have an electronic or hard
copy of the training program material provided to its operating personnel responsible
for the startup, energizing a bus and synchronization of its Blackstart Resource
generation units and a copy of its dated training records including training dates and
durations showing that it has provided training in accordance with Requirement R15.
R16. Each Generator Operator shall participate in its Reliability Coordinator’s restoration
drills, exercises, or simulations as requested by its Reliability Coordinator. [Violation
Risk Factor = Medium] [Time Horizon = Operations Planning]
M16. Each Generator Operator shall have evidence that it participated in its Reliability
Coordinator’s restoration drills, exercises, or simulations if requested to do so in
accordance with Requirement R16.

C. Compliance
1.

Compliance Monitoring Process
1.1. Compliance Enforcement Authority: Regional Entity
“Compliance Enforcement Authority” means NERC or the Regional Entity, or any
entity as otherwise designated by an Applicable Governmental Authority, in
their respective roles of monitoring and/or enforcing compliance with
mandatory and enforceable Reliability Standards in their respective
jurisdictions.
1.2. Evidence Retention:
The following evidence retention period(s) 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 the last audit, the Compliance Enforcement Authority may ask an entity to
provide other evidence to show that it was compliant for the full-time period
since the last audit.

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The applicable 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.
The Transmission Operator 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:
•

Approved restoration plan and any restoration plans in effect since the last
compliance audit for Requirement R1, Measure M1.

•

Provided the entities identified in its approved restoration plan with a
description of any changes to their roles and specific tasks prior to the
effective date of the plan for the current calendar year and three prior
calendar years for Requirement R2, Measure M2.

•

Submission of the Transmission Operator’s annually-reviewed restoration
plan to its Reliability Coordinator for the current calendar year and three
prior calendar years for Requirement R3, Measure M3.

•

Submission of a revised restoration plan to its Reliability Coordinator for all
versions for the current calendar year and the prior three calendar years for
Requirement R4, Measure M4.

•

The current restoration plan approved by its Reliability Coordinator and any
restoration plans for the last three calendar years that was made available
in its control rooms for Requirement R5, Measure M5.

•

The verification results for the current, approved restoration plan and the
previous approved restoration plan for Requirement R6, Measure M6.

•

The verification process and results for the current Blackstart Resource
testing requirements and the last previous Blackstart Resource testing
requirements for Requirement R7, Measure M7.

•

Training program materials or descriptions for three calendar years for
Requirement R8, Measure M8.

•

Records of participation in all requested Reliability Coordinator restoration
drills, exercises, or simulations since its last compliance audit, as well as one
previous compliance audit period for Requirement R10, Measure M10.

If a Transmission Operator is found non-compliant for any requirement, it shall
keep information related to the non-compliance until mitigation is complete
and approved or for the time period specified above, whichever is longer. The
Transmission Operator, applicable Transmission Owner, and applicable
Distribution Provider 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:

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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

•

Training program materials or descriptions and training records for three
calendar years for Requirement R9, Measure M9.

If a Transmission Operator, applicable Transmission Owner, or applicable
Distribution Provider is found non-compliant for any requirement, it shall keep
information related to the non-compliance until mitigation is complete and
approved or for the time period specified above, whichever is longer. .
The Transmission Operator and Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource
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:
•

Current Blackstart Resource Agreements and any Blackstart Resource
Agreements or mutually agreed upon procedures or protocols in effect since
its last compliance audit for Requirement R11, Measure M11.

The Generator Operator with a Blackstart Resource 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:
•

Current documentation and any documentation in effect since its last
compliance audit on procedures to start each Blackstart Resource and for
energizing a bus for Requirement R12, Measure M12.

•

Notification to its Transmission Operator of any known changes to its
Blackstart Resource capabilities over the last three calendar years for
Requirement R13, Measure M13.

•

The verification test results for the current set of requirements and one
previous set for its Blackstart Resources for Requirement R14, Measure
M14.

•

Training program materials and training records for three calendar years for
Requirement R15, Measure M15.

If a Generation Operator with a Blackstart Resource is found non-compliant for
any requirement, it shall keep information related to the non-compliance until
mitigation is complete and approved or for the time period specified above,
whichever is longer.
The Generator Operator 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:
•

Records of participation in all requested Reliability Coordinator restoration
drills, exercises, or simulations since its last compliance audit for
Requirement R16, Measure M16.

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If a Generation Operator is found non-compliant for any requirement, it shall
keep information related to the non-compliance until mitigation is complete and
approved or for the time period specified above, whichever is longer. The
Compliance Enforcement Authority shall keep the last compliance audit records
and all requested and submitted subsequent compliance audit records.
1.3. Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program
As defined in the NERC Rules of Procedure, “Compliance Monitoring and
Enforcement Program” refers to the identification of the processes that will be
used to evaluate data or information for the purpose of assessing performance
or outcomes with the associated Reliability Standard.

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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

Violation Severity Levels
R#

R1.

R2.

Violation Severity Levels

Lower VSL

Moderate VSL

High VSL

Severe VSL

The Transmission Operator
has an approved plan but
failed to comply with one of
the requirement parts within
Requirement R1.

The Transmission Operator
has an approved plan but
failed to comply with two of
the requirement parts within
Requirement R1.

The Transmission Operator
has an approved plan but
failed to comply with three
or more of the requirement
parts within Requirement
R1.

The Transmission Operator
does not have an approved
restoration plan.

The Transmission Operator
failed to provide one of the
entities identified in its
approved restoration plan
with a description of any
changes to their roles and
specific tasks prior to the
effective date of the plan.

The Transmission Operator
failed to provide two of the
entities identified in its
approved restoration plan
with a description of any
changes to their roles and
specific tasks prior to the
effective date of the plan.

The Transmission Operator
failed to provide three of the
entities identified in its
approved restoration plan
with a description of any
changes to their roles and
specific tasks prior to the
effective date of the plan.

The Transmission Operator
failed to provide four or
more of the entities
identified in its approved
restoration plan with a
description of any changes
to their roles and specific
tasks prior to the effective
date of the plan.

OR
The Transmission Operator
has an approved restoration
plan, but failed to implement
the applicable requirement
parts within Requirement
R1.

OR
Transmission Operator failed
to provide at least half of the
entities identified in its

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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

R#

Violation Severity Levels

Lower VSL

Moderate VSL

High VSL

Severe VSL
approved restoration plan
with a description of any
changes to their roles and
specific tasks prior to the
effective date.

R3.

The Transmission Operator
submitted the reviewed
restoration plan within 30
calendar days after the
mutually-agreed,
predetermined schedule.

The Transmission Operator
submitted the reviewed
restoration plan more than
30 and less than or equal to
60 calendar days after the
mutually-agreed,
predetermined schedule.

The Transmission Operator
submitted the reviewed
restoration plan more than
60 and less than or equal to
90 calendar days after the
mutually-agreed,
predetermined schedule.

The Transmission Operator
submitted the reviewed
restoration plan more than
90 calendar days after the
mutually-agreed,
predetermined schedule.

R4.

The Transmission Operator
failed to submit its revised
restoration plan to its
Reliability Coordinator
within 90 calendar days of
an unplanned permanent
System BES modification.

The Transmission Operator
submitted its revised
restoration plan to its
Reliability Coordinator
between 91 calendar days
and 120 calendar days of an
unplanned permanent
System BES modification.

The Transmission Operator
submitted its revised
restoration plan to its
Reliability Coordinator
between 121 calendar days
and 150 calendar days of an
unplanned permanent
System BES modification.

The Transmission Operator
has failed to submit its
revised restoration plan to
its Reliability Coordinator
within 150 calendar days of
an unplanned permanent
System BES modification.
OR
The Transmission Operator
failed to submit its revised
restoration plan to its
Reliability Coordinator prior

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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

R#

Violation Severity Levels

Lower VSL

Moderate VSL

High VSL

Severe VSL
to a planned permanent BES
modification.

R5.

N/A

N/A

N/A

The Transmission Operator
did not make the latest
Reliability Coordinator
approved restoration plan
available in its primary and
backup control rooms prior
to its effective date.

R6.

The Transmission Operator
performed the verification
within the required
timeframe but did not
comply with one of the
requirement parts.

The Transmission Operator
performed the verification
within the required
timeframe but did not
comply with two of the
requirement parts.

The Transmission Operator
performed the verification
but did not complete it
within the required time
frame.

The Transmission Operator
did not perform the
verification or it took more
than six calendar years to
complete the verification.
OR
The Transmission Operator
performed the verification
within the required
timeframe but did not
comply with any of the
requirement parts.

R7.

N/A

N/A

N/A

The Transmission Operator’s
Blackstart Resource testing
requirements do not address

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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

R#

Violation Severity Levels

Lower VSL

Moderate VSL

High VSL

Severe VSL
one or more of the
requirement parts of
Requirement R7.

R8.

The Transmission Operator’s
training does not address
one of the requirement parts
of Requirement R8.

The Transmission Operator’s
training does not address
two of the requirement parts
of Requirement R8.

The Transmission Operator’s
training does not address
three or more of the
requirement parts of
Requirement R8.

The Transmission Operator
has not included System
restoration training in its
operations training program.

R9.

The Transmission Operator,
applicable Transmission
Owner, or applicable
Distribution Provider failed
to train 5% or less of the
personnel required by
Requirement R9 within a
two-calendar-year period.

The Transmission Operator,
applicable Transmission
Owner, or applicable
Distribution Provider failed
to train more than 5% and
up to 10% of the personnel
required by Requirement R9
within a two-calendar-year
period.

The Transmission Operator,
applicable Transmission
Owner, or applicable
Distribution Provider failed
to train more than 10% and
up to 15% of the personnel
required by Requirement R9
two-calendar-year period.

The Transmission Operator,
applicable Transmission
Owner, or applicable
Distribution Provider failed
to train more than 15% of
the personnel required by
Requirement R9 within a
two-calendar-year period.

R10.

N/A

N/A

N/A

The Transmission Operator
has failed to comply with a
request for its participation
from its Reliability
Coordinator.

R11.

N/A

The Transmission Operator
and Generator Operator

N/A

The Transmission Operator
and Generator Operator

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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

R#

Violation Severity Levels

Lower VSL

Moderate VSL

High VSL

with a Blackstart Resource
do not reference Blackstart
Resource Testing
requirements in their written
Blackstart Resource
Agreements or mutuallyagreed upon procedures or
protocols.

Severe VSL
with a Blackstart resource do
not have a written Blackstart
Resource Agreement or
mutually-agreed upon
procedure or protocol.

R12.

N/A

N/A

N/A

The Generator Operator
does not have documented
starting and bus energizing
procedures for each
Blackstart Resource.

R13.

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
did not notify the
Transmission Operator of a
known change in Blackstart
Resource capability affecting
the ability to meet the
Transmission Operator’s
restoration plan within 24
hours but did make the
notification within 48 hours.

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
did not notify the
Transmission Operator of a
known change in Blackstart
Resource capability affecting
the ability to meet the
Transmission Operator’s
restoration plan within 48
hours but did make the
notification within 72 hours.

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
did not notify the
Transmission Operator of a
known change in Blackstart
Resource capability affecting
the ability to meet the
Transmission Operator’s
restoration plan within 72
hours but did make the
notification within 96 hours.

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
did not notify the
Transmission Operator of a
known change in Blackstart
Resource capability affecting
the ability to meet the
Transmission Operator’s
restoration plan for more
than 96 hours.

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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

R#

Violation Severity Levels

Lower VSL
R14.

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
performed tests and
maintained records but the
records did not include all of
the items in Requirement
R14, Part 14.1.
OR
The Generator Operator did
not supply the Blackstart
Resource testing records as
requested for 31 to 60
calendar days after the
request.

Moderate VSL

High VSL

Severe VSL

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
performed tests and
maintained records but did
not supply the Blackstart
Resource testing records as
requested for 61 to 90
calendar days after the
request.

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
performed tests but either
did not maintain records or
did not supply the Blackstart
Resource testing records as
requested within 91 or more
calendar days after the
request.

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
did not perform Blackstart
Resource tests.

R15.

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
did not train less than or
equal to 10% of the
personnel required by
Requirement R15 within a
two-calendar-year period.

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
did not train more than 10%
and less than or equal to
25% of the personnel
required by Requirement
R15 within a two-calendaryear period.

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
did not train more than 25%
and less than or equal to
50% of the personnel
required by Requirement
R15 within a two-calendaryear period.

The Generator Operator
with a Blackstart Resource
did not train more than 50%
of the personnel required by
Requirement R15 within a
two-calendar-year period.

R16.

N/A

N/A

N/A

The Generator Operator
failed to participate in its
Reliability Coordinator’s
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EOP-005-3 – System Restoration from Blackstart Resources

R#

Violation Severity Levels

Lower VSL

Moderate VSL

High VSL

Severe VSL
restoration drills, exercises,
or simulations as requested
by its Reliability Coordinator.

D. Regional Variances
None.

E. Associated Documents

Link to the Implementation Plan and other important associated documents.

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Version History
Version

Date

Action

Change Tracking

0

April 1, 2005

Effective Date

New

0

August 8, 2005

Removed “Proposed” from
Effective Date

Errata

1

May 2, 2007

Approved by the Board of Trustees

Revised

Revisions pursuant to Project
2006-03

Updated testing
requirements
Incorporated
Attachment 1 into the
requirements. Updated
Measures and
Compliance to match
new requirements
Revised

2

2

August 5, 2009

Adopted by Board of Trustees

2

March 17,
2011

Order issued by FERC approving
EOP-005-2 (approval effective
5/23/11)

2

February 7,
2013

R3.1 and associated elements
approved by NERC Board of
Trustees for retirement as part of
the Paragraph 81 project (Project
2013-02) pending applicable
regulatory approval

2

July 1, 2013

Updated VRFs and VSLs based on
June 24, 2013 approval

2

November 21,
2013

R3.1 and associated elements
approved by FERC for retirement
as part of the Paragraph 81 project
(Project 2013-02)

3

February 9,
2017

Adopted by the NERC Board of
Trustees

Revised

Page 17 of 18

Supplemental Material

Rationale

Rationale for Requirement R4: As previously written, Requirement R4 addressed (in one
sentence) two restoration plan update items that a Transmission Operator must perform: (1)
the restoration plan must be updated within 90 calendar days after identifying any unplanned
permanent System modifications and (2) the restoration plan must be updated prior to
implementing a planned BES modification. The phrase: “… that would change the
implementation of its restoration plan” appeared to apply to both types of changes. There was
no time frame specified for updating the restoration plan for a planned BES modification;
although one could infer that “90 calendar days” is intended to be the same time frame for
both unplanned and planned modifications. Furthermore, the distinction between “System
modifications” for unplanned changes and “BES modifications” for planned changes has been
seen as confusing to some Responsible Entities.
The references to permanent unplanned and planned BES modifications that will change the
ability to implement the RC-approved restoration plan are intended to require a Responsible
Entity to submit a revised restoration plan to the RC when the modification would substantively
change the TOP’s ability to implement the restoration plan or impact the RC’s ability to monitor
and direct restoration efforts. The intent is not to require a TOP to submit changes that do not
substantively change the restoration plan or the RCs ability to monitor and direct the
restoration efforts. Examples of instances that do not require update and submission of a
restoration plan include element number changes, device changes, or administrative changes
that have no significance to the implementation of the plan.
In addition, the timeframes referenced in Requirement R4, Part 4.2 for a permanent planned
BES modification directs the Responsible Entity to EOP-006-2, Requirement R5.1 and EOP-0063, Requirement R5, Part 5.1, which states that the RC shall approve or disapprove the TOPs
submitted restoration plan within 30 days of receipt. This allows the Responsible Entity to
coordinate submission with the RC based on the RCs specific requirements.
Rationale for Requirement R6: Dynamic simulations should simulate frequency and voltage
response. It is the intent of the EOP SDT that the simulation provides for the feedback of the
System performance as generation and Load are added.
Rationale for Requirement R8: The addition of Requirement 8, Part 8.5 allows operating
personnel to gain experience on all stages of restoration, including coordination needed
transferring Demand and resource balance operations, back to the Balancing Authority in
accordance with Requirement R1, Part 1.9.
Rationale for Requirement R9: The intent of “unique tasks” are those tasks that are defined by
the Transmission Operator, the Transmission Owner, and the Distribution Provider.

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