ISO continued from page 19 .
readiness . The ISO communicates fuel security risks posed by an extended cold snap with key stakeholders and the media .
2020
The ISO files Energy Security Improvements ( ESI ), a plan to incentivize — through wholesale markets — actions by resources to secure fuel supplies . ESI proposes new products in the ancillary services market to incentivize the region ’ s fleet to invest in the energy-supply arrangements and technologies needed to run the grid reliably and efficiently .
However , FERC rejects the ISO ’ s proposal in October 2020 and terminates the requirement for the ISO to put forward such a proposal . The ISO believes the underlying design is sound , and based on further input from FERC , plans additional discussions with stakeholders .
2020
FERC approves the ISO ’ s Inventoried Energy Program , a short-term interim measure filed in 2019 to cover the winters of ’ 23 –’ 24 and ’ 24 –’ 25 . This measure will recognize the value of resources that can store fuel for use when winter energy security is most stressed .
2018
The ISO releases its Operational Fuel Security Analysis ( OFSA ), which studies whether the region has enough fuel to ensure bulk power system reliability through an entire winter under a wide range of scenarios . The study design quantifies the region ’ s energy-security risk , specifically “ the possibility that power plants won ’ t have or be able to get the fuel they need ” to meet demand and maintain reliability . At the same time , the ISO initiates stakeholder discussions to consider long-term solutions to the energy-security risk .
2018
In March , the ISO files its response to FERC ’ s January 2018 Resilience Order , detailing the scope and depth of the fuelsecurity challenge facing the region and highlighting the recently released OFSA . In its response , the ISO specifies that it “ recognizes that fuel security is just one aspect of the bulk power system ’ s resilience ; however , it is the most significant challenge for the New England bulk power system ’ s resilience , and it currently has no defined in-market long-term solution .”
2018
The owner of the Mystic Generating Station ( the primary customer for the Distrigas LNG facility in Everett , Massachusetts ) announces in late March that it plans to retire several units in 2022 . After studying and identifying the resulting adverse consequences for New England ’ s energy security , the ISO moves to retain the Mystic units for an additional two years , giving the region time to implement reliability solutions before the units ’ eventual retirement in 2024 .
Over the next year , the ISO conducts stakeholder discussions and submits several filings to increase the ISO ’ s tools to retain resources seeking to retire , to address energy security in the short term and to begin development of a longterm , in-market solution .
2018
Following the operational experience from the cold snap earlier in the year , the ISO creates and publishes an ongoing 21-Day Energy Assessment Forecast that provides advance notice of potential fuel-scarcity conditions during the winter season , allowing generators to make fuel arrangements when necessary . This forward-looking planning tool is unique among the country ’ s independent system operators .
2017
A two-week cold snap creates operational difficulties similar to those experienced in early 2014 . The period from December 26 , 2017 , to January 8 , 2018 , stresses operations , with oil supplies at New England generators dwindling to very low levels and leading
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