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Geomagnetic Disturbance Operations Plan
SO-P-AOP-01 Rev: 0
Rev History
Reason for Issue
Revised By Issue Date Effective Date
0
Annual Review. Completed
Andy
05/13/2016
05/13/2016
Compliance Review. Enhance Witmeier/
RTO-AOP-050 to meet new
Tracy Toumi
formatting and writing
standards as part of PREP.
RTO-OP-053 Geo-Magnetic
Disturbance Communication
Procedure has been retired
and incorporated into this
Plan. Operating Procedure
Owner approval on file.
RTO-AOP- Creation of new procedure.
Andy
04/01/2016
04/01/2016
050-r0
Operating Procedure Owner
Witmeier
approval on file.
This document is prepared for informational purposes only to support the application of the provisions of the MISO Tariff and the
services provided thereunder. MISO may revise or terminate this document at any time at its discretion without notice. However,
every effort will be made by MISO to update this document and inform its users of changes as soon as practicable. Nevertheless, it is
the user’s responsibility to ensure you are using the most recent version of this document in conjunction with the MISO Tariff and
other applicable procedures, including, but not limited to, the applicable NERC Reliability Standards as they may be revised from time
to time.
In the event of a conflict between this document and the MISO Tariff, the MISO Tariff will control, and nothing in this document shall
be interpreted to contradict, amend or supersede the MISO Tariff. MISO is not responsible for any reliance on this document by
others, or for any errors or omissions or misleading information contained herein.
1.0 Purpose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.0 Roles and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
3.0 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3.2 Communicating a GMD Event. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3.3 Communicating a GMD Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3.4 MISO RC GMD Actions to Mitigate the Effects of GMD Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3.5 Functional Entities’ GMD Actions to Mitigate the Effects of GMD Events . . . . . . 6
3.6 Transmission Operator GMD Operating Procedures/Process Reviews . . . . . . . 8
3.6.1 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.6.2 GMD Plan Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.0 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.0 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.1 NERC References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.2 MISO References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Attachment 1 — MISO Communication System (MCS) Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Attachment 2 — MISO Reliability Coordinator Review Checklist for Transmission Operator/ Geomagnetic Disturbance Operating Procedure or Operating Process . . . . . . . . . 12
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1.0
Purpose
Identifies the actions taken to mitigate the effects of geomagnetic disturbance
(GMD) events, including a process to communicate forecasted and current space
weather information received through the GMD Monitor to the appropriate
personnel. Additionally, provides the process to submit and review Transmission
Operators (TOPs) GMD Procedures and Processes.
2.0
Roles and Responsibilities
1. Balancing Authority (BA)/ Local Balancing Authority (LBA)
• Receives GMD event information from MISO via the MISO Communication
System (MCS).
• Communicates frequently with the Reliability Coordinator (RC) regarding
system conditions and steps taken to mitigate GMD impacts.
2. Balancing Authority Operator (BAO)
• Receives GMD external notifications from the Shift Manager (SM) and
communicates any abnormal system conditions to the SM.
3. Generator Operator (GOP)
• Receives GMD event information from MISO via the MCS.
• Communicates frequently with the RC regarding system conditions and
steps to take to mitigate GMD impacts.
4. Reliability Coordinator (RC)
• Communicates GMD events to functional entities via the MCS when
notified of GMD activity by the GMD Monitor.
• Coordinates GMD actions to mitigate GMD impacts with BAs, LBAs, TOPs,
GOPs, and neighboring RCs.
5. Reliability Engineer (RE)
• Reviews and evaluates the GMD Operating Procedures and Processes of
TOPs in the MISO RC footprint by utilizing the GMD Checklist per
Attachment 2 — MISO Reliability Coordinator Review Checklist for
Transmission Operator/ Geomagnetic Disturbance Operating Procedure or
Operating Process.
6. Shift Manager (SM)
• Coordinates the dissemination of GMD events to functional entities via the
MCS, and to MISO management via the *RTOpsNotification email
exploder.
• Coordinates the termination of GMD activity to functional entities via the
MCS, and to MISO management via the *RTOpsNotification email
exploder.
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7. Transmission Operator (TOP)
• Develops, maintains, and implements GMD Operating Procedures or
Operation Processes to mitigate the effects of GMD events on the reliable
operation of its respective system.
• Completes and submits the GMD Checklist to MISO prior to
implementation of any new or revised TOP GMD Operating Procedures or
Operating Processes per Attachment 2 — MISO Reliability Coordinator
Review Checklist for Transmission Operator/ Geomagnetic Disturbance
Operating Procedure or Operating Process.
• Receives GMD event information from MISO via the MCS and
communicates frequently with the RC regarding system conditions and
steps taken to mitigate GMD impacts.
8. Unit Dispatch System (UDS) Operator
• Coordinates with the RC to ensure adequate reserves are available on the
system.
3.0
Overview
3.1
General
1. MISO is responsible for developing, maintaining, and implementing a GMD
Operating Plan that coordinates the GMD Operating Procedures or Processes
within the MISO Reliability Coordination Area.
2. GMD events have the potential to adversely impact the reliable operation of
interconnected transmission systems.
3. During a GMD event, geomagnetically-induced currents (GICs) may cause
transformer hot-spot heating or damage, loss of reactive power sources,
increased reactive power demand, and protection system mis-operation; the
combination of which may result in voltage collapse and potential blackouts.
3.2
Communicating a GMD Event
1. SM, or designee, receives a GMD Alert or Warning of K-7 or higher from the
GMD Monitor, and then disseminates the information to the appropriate areas.
2. Prior to sending out external notifications, the SM, or designee, notifies the
BAO of the GMD Alert or Warning.
3. SM, or designee, notifies TOPs, BAs/LBAs, and GOPs in the MISO Reliability
Coordination Area of the GMD Alert or Warning by posting a GMD
Communication on the MCS per Attachment 1 — MISO Communication
System (MCS) Examples.
4. SM, or designee, sends an email to *RTOpsNotification with notification of the
GMD Alert or Warning.
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3.3
Communicating a GMD Termination
1. Approximately two to four hours after the last geomagnetic activity is observed,
the SM, or designee, notifies the BAO of the termination of the GMD activity
prior to sending out external notifications.
2. SM, or designee, then notifies the appropriate areas, including TOPs, BAs/
LBAs, and GOPs in the MISO Reliability Coordination Area of termination of
the GMD activity via MCS and to resume normal operations per Attachment 1
— MISO Communication System (MCS) Examples.
3. SM, or designee, then sends an email to *RTOpsNotification with notification of
the termination and to resume normal operations.
3.4
MISO RC GMD Actions to Mitigate the Effects of GMD Events
1. Table 1 provides a list of proposed actions during a GMD event.
Table 1: MISO RC GMD Mitigation Actions
When the GMD Monitor notifies MISO of Warnings or Alerts of K8 or higher, the MISO RC reviews the following mitigation steps
and implements as necessary:
Long-Lead Time
Day-of-Event
Role(s)
Reviews current and scheduled transmission
outages to determine if any should be returned
to service or delayed from starting an outage,
especially series capacitors.
RC
Verifies with TOPs that all available monitoring
equipment is in service.
RC
TOPs
Monitors voltages and reactive flows for unusual
measurements, including depressed voltages,
Megavar (MVAR) swings, or large MVAR loss in
Extra Hight Voltage (EHV) transformers,
including Generator Step-Up (GSU)
transformers.
RC
Reviews imports and exports to determine if
transfers can be reduced without loading up online generation.
RC
Ensures operating reserves and reactive
reserves are widely dispersed.
RC
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Table 1: MISO RC GMD Mitigation Actions
When the GMD Monitor notifies MISO of Warnings or Alerts of K8 or higher, the MISO RC reviews the following mitigation steps
and implements as necessary:
Real-Time
Actions (based
on results of dayof-event
monitoring)
Role(s)
SM communicates conditions, as necessary,
per RTO-OP-018 Conservative System
Operations Procedure.
SM
Coordinates with TOPs and GOPs to keep
generators near unity power factor by bringing
on additional generation or synchronous
condensers to support voltages in areas of
known GICs, as necessary.
RC
TOPs
GOPs
Reduces loading on transformers through
binding or unit commitments if TOPs/GOPs
report high transformer neutral currents or
unusual reactive flow in transformers.
RC
Coordinates with the UDS Operator to keep 10minute spinning reserves above 50% to provide
reactive power. The UDS Operator may
consider increasing the amount of online
spinning reserves with reactive capabilities, as
necessary.
RC
UDS
The RC and UDS Operator may consider
setting units to their economic minimum output
to provide adequate room for reserves and
reactive capability.
RC
UDS
RC may consider reducing the load on tie-lines
to 90% or less of security limits.
RC
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Table 1: MISO RC GMD Mitigation Actions
When the GMD Monitor notifies MISO of Warnings or Alerts of K8 or higher, the MISO RC reviews the following mitigation steps
and implements as necessary:
Real-Time
Actions (based
on results of dayof-event
monitoring)
Role(s)
RC may consider removing large shunt reactors
and static VAR compensators from service.
RC
TOPs
Communicates significant observations and
forced equipment outages due to GMD activity
to neighboring RCs via the NERC Reliability
Coordinator Information System (RCIS).
RC
Records symptoms and forced outages due to
GMD event and high GICs in Control Room
Operations Window (CROW).
RC
TOPs
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3.5
Functional Entities’ GMD Actions to Mitigate the Effects of GMD Events
1. Table 2 provides a list of proposed actions during a GMD event.
Table 2: Functional Entities’ GMD Mitigation Actions
When MISO notifies TOPs, BAs/LBAs, and GOPs in the MISO
Reliability Coordination Area of Warning levels of K-8 or higher,
they should conduct the following mitigation steps, as
necessary:
Long-Lead Time
Day-Of-Event
Role(s)
Assess the readiness of black start generators
and cranking paths.
BAs/
LBAs
GOPs
TOPs
Notify field personnel, as necessary, of the
potential need to report to individual
substations for on-site monitoring (if not
available via SCADA/EMS).
BAs/
LBAs
GOPs
TOPs
Review transmission outages and determine if
any can be returned to service, especially
series capacitors where installed.
TOPs
Review planned transmission outages to
consider delaying or postponing during
Warning or Alert period.
TOPs
Remove shunt reactors.
TOPs
Modify protective relay settings based on
predetermined harmonic data corresponding to
different levels of GIC (provided by transformer
manufacturer).
BAs/
LBAs
GOPs
TOPs
Monitor GMD data, either real-time data or
calculated, such as transformer neutral
currents, unusual voltages and reactive power,
and abnormal temperatures rise/noise/
dissolved gas in transformers. Monitor GIC on
banks so-equipped.
BAs/
LBAs
GOPs
TOPs
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Table 2: Functional Entities’ GMD Mitigation Actions
When MISO notifies TOPs, BAs/LBAs, and GOPs in the MISO
Reliability Coordination Area of Warning levels of K-8 or higher,
they should conduct the following mitigation steps, as
necessary:
Day-Of-Event
Role(s)
Monitor MVAR losses of Extreme High Voltage
(EHV) transformers as possible.
BAs/
LBAs
TOPs
Prepare for unplanned capacitor bank/SVC/
HVDC tripping.
BAs/
LBAs
GOPs
TOPs
Prepare for possible false SCADA/EMS
indications if telecommunications systems are
disrupted, for example, communications over
microwave paths.
BAs/
LBAs
GOPs
TOPs
Coordinate with MISO RC in keeping
generators near unity power factor while
maintaining system voltages and reactive flows
in normal range. Start off-line generation and
synchronous condensers.
BAs/
LBAs
GOPs
TOPs
RC
Enter conservative operations with possible
reduced transfer limits.
BAs/
LBAs
GOPs
TOPs
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Table 2: Functional Entities’ GMD Mitigation Actions
When MISO notifies TOPs, BAs/LBAs, and GOPs in the MISO
Reliability Coordination Area of Warning levels of K-8 or higher,
they should conduct the following mitigation steps, as
necessary:
Real-Time Actions
(based on results
of day-of-event
monitoring)
3.6
Role(s)
Follow internal procedures.
BAs/
LBAs
TOPs
GOPs
Report occurrences of abnormal conditions to
the MISO RC; work with RC in determining
additional steps to implement, depending upon
system conditions.
BAs/
LBAs
TOPs
GOPs
RC
Manually start fans/pumps on selected
transformers to increase thermal margin. Check
that oil temperature is above 50°C as forced oil
flow at lower temperatures may cause static
electrification.
BAs/
LBAs
GOPs
TOPs
Remove transformer(s) from service if imminent
damage due to overheating (possibly automatic
by relaying) is expected.
BAs/
LBAs
TOPs
RC
Remove transmission line(s) from service, as
necessary. Pay special attention to lines most
influenced by GMD.
BAs/
LBAs
TOPs
RC
Transmission Operator GMD Operating Procedures/Process Reviews
3.6.1 General
1. Each TOP in the MISO Reliability Coordination Area, whose TOP Area
includes a power transformer with a high side wye-grounded winding
with terminal voltage greater than 200kV, is responsible for developing,
maintaining, and implementing a GMD Operating Procedure or
Operating Process to mitigate the effects of GMD events on the reliable
operation of its respective system.
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2. MISO provides guidance, as requested by TOPs, while developing a
GMD Operating Procedure or Operating Process to ensure that GMD
events are mitigated consistently throughout the MISO Reliability
Coordination Area.
3. The MISO RC reviews the GMD Operating Procedure or Operating
Process, as requested by TOPs, to ensure that GMD Operating
Procedures or Operating Processes are maintained.
3.6.2 GMD Plan Administration
1. TOP submits the GMD Operating Procedure or Operating Plan and the
completed worksheet to MISO’s dedicated compliance mailbox:
RTOpsCompliance@misoenergy.org, as indicated in Attachment 2 —
MISO Reliability Coordinator Review Checklist for Transmission
Operator/ Geomagnetic Disturbance Operating Procedure or Operating
Process.
2. The MISO RC, or designee, evaluates the Operating Procedure or
Operating Process content submitted to ensure it identifies the following
key criteria:
• Steps or tasks for the TOP to receive forecasted and current
weather information through the MCS.
• TOP’s system operator actions to be initiated based on
predetermined conditions indicated in 3.5 Functional Entities’ GMD
Actions to Mitigate the Effects of GMD Events, as applicable,
following the implementation of the MISO RC’s GMD Operating
Plan.
• The conditions for terminating the TOP’s Operating Procedure or
Operating Process once conditions return to normal.
3. The MISO RC, or designee, will document the result of the review and
identify any issues to resolve in the TOP’s Operating Procedure or
Operating Process.
4. Within 30 calendar days of receipt from the TOP, the MISO RC, or
designee, will provide the results of the review to the TOP. New or
revised versions of the TOP’s Operating Procedures or Operating
Processes must be reviewed by the MISO RC prior to becoming
effective.
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4.0
Definitions
1. Functional Entities - as described in this plan, include the following roles in the
MISO Reliability Coordination Area: BAs/LBAs, GOPs, and TOPs.
2. GMD Monitor - designated RC responsible to receive and disseminate
notifications from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space
Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) of possible GMD Watches, Alerts, or
Warnings. All K-7 or higher GMD warnings and alerts shall be routed by
established procedures by the GMD Monitor to operating entities within the
applicable Interconnection.
3. GIC - electrical currents generated in the Earth resulting in solar flares that
cause abnormal disturbances in communication, pipeline, railroad signal, and
power systems that are grounded to the earth at points remote from each other.
4. Solar flares - a brief eruption of intense high-energy radiation from the sun’s
surface, associated with sunspots and causing electromagnetic disturbances
on the earth.
5. SWPC - also referred to as the Space Weather Prediction Center, located in
Boulder, Colorado, provides solar disturbance forecasting services to the GMD
Monitor.
5.0
References
5.1
NERC References
1. EOP-010-1 Geomagnetic Disturbance Operations
•
•
•
•
R1 [Section 1.0]
R1.1 [Section 3.4], [Section 3.5]
R1.2 [Section 3.6]
R2 [Section 3.1]
2. IRO-005-3.1a Reliability Coordination--Current Day Operations
•
5.2
R3 [Section 3.2]
MISO References
1. RTO-OP-018 Conservative System Operations Procedure
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Attachment 1 — MISO Communication System (MCS) Examples
Figure 1: Geomagnetic Disturbance Warning
Figure 2: Geomagnetic Disturbance Alert
Figure 3: Geomagnetic Disturbance Termination
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Attachment 2 — MISO Reliability Coordinator Review Checklist for
Transmission Operator/ Geomagnetic Disturbance Operating Procedure or
Operating Process
1. Transmission Operators in the MISO Reliability Coordinator Area submit this
worksheet, along with their GMD Operating Procedure or Operating Process,
when their respective Geomagnetic Disturbance Operating Procedure or
Operating Process is developed or revised. 

This worksheet must be submitted to MISO at least 30 calendar days prior to
anticipated effective date of the GMD Operating Procedure or Operating
Process.
2. The white sections of the form should be completed in entirety by the TOP.
Type your responses directly into the fields below.
3. Submit your GMD Operating Procedure or Operating Plan and the completed
worksheet to MISO’s dedicated compliance mailbox:
RTOpsCompliance@misoenergy.org
4. The MISO RC, or designee, will review the TOP’s GMD Operating Procedure
or Operating Process and provide details to identify inconsistencies or
incompatibilities with the Operating Procedures and Operating Processes of
neighboring TOPs or the MISO Geo-Magnetic Disturbance Operating Plan.
5. “Insufficient” information provided by the TOP will be documented by the MISO
RC and sent to the TOP at the earliest convenience of the MISO RC.
6. Once the inconsistencies or incompatibilities are addressed in the TOP’s
Operating Procedure or Operating Plan, the MISO RC will document it as
“Sufficient” in the review worksheet and provide the MISO RC’s sign-off to the
TOP.
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Figure 4: Example of Form 1031: MISO-TOP GMD Operating Procedure/Process
Review Worksheet, page 1
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Figure 5: Example of Form 1031: MISO-TOP GMD Operating Procedure/Process
Review Worksheet, page 2