The bulk electric power system showed its resiliency during the Jan. 6-8, 2014 polar vortex weather event, according to a report by the North American Electric Reliability Corp.

NERC’s Polar Vortex Review shows that bulk power system reliability was maintained despite sustained record-low temperatures occurring over a large geographic area in North America.

“Generation and transmission operators in North America responded well to prevent major impacts to the bulk power system,” says James Merlo, NERC director of Reliability and Risk Management in a news releasse.

NERC says that, as expected, key factors during the event included fuel deliverability issues, natural gas pipeline outages, gas service interruptions, frozen electricity and gas equipment and other extreme cold weather operating challenges.

During the event, grid operators used techniques, such as voltage reduction and demand-side management to ensure the bulk electric system reliability was maintained.

“The fact that only one balancing authority shed firm load during the polar vortex event is an indication of a strong overall performance by industry under extremely challenging circumstances,” says Howard Gugel, NERC director of Performance Analysis in the news release. “Industry owners and operators used all the resources at their disposal to keep the grid reliable during these extreme conditions.”

The report also contains more than a dozen observations and recommendations to improve performance ahead of future cold weather events. The recommendations include:

• Review and update power plant weatherization programs, including procedures and staff training.
• Continue or consider implementing a program for winter preparation site reviews at generation facilities.
• Review the basis for reporting forced and planned outages to ensure appropriate data for unit outages and de-ratings.
• Review natural gas supply and transportation issues and work with gas suppliers, markets and regulators to develop appropriate actions.
• Include in winter assessments reasonable losses of gas-fired generation and considerations of oil burn rates relative to oil replenishment rates to determine fuel needs for continuous operation.
• Continue to improve operational awareness of the fuel status and pipeline system conditions for all generators.
• Ensure that on-site fuel and fuel ordered for winter is adequately protected from gelling.
• Consider where appropriate the temperature design basis for their plants to determine if improvements are needed for the plants to withstand lower winter temperatures without compromising their ability to withstand summer temperatures.
• Review internal processes to ensure their ability to secure necessary waivers of winter environmental and/or fuel restrictions.