Identifying Voltage Control Equipment

When Texas RE Risk staff initiates an Inherent Risk Assessment (IRA) in Align, two questionnaires—the Risk Factor Questionnaire (RFQ) and the Entity Risk Profile Questionnaire (ERPQ)—are sent to the entity’s Primary Compliance Contact (PCC). One section of the RFQ regards an entity’s voltage control equipment.

Voltage control is the process of ensuring that voltage levels are maintained within predefined limits. This is done to protect equipment and the reliable operation of the Bulk Power System (BPS). The Voltage Control questions on the RFQ ask: "Does your entity currently own or operate any voltage control equipment? (including generators)” and “Does your entity currently own or operate any voltage control equipment other than generators? ”

There are two types of voltage control equipment (reactive resources) an entity can own: dynamic and static. Dynamic reactive resources such as generators or synchronous condensers provide the exact Volt-Amperes Reactive (VARs) needed to maintain a certain voltage. Static reactive resources are your capacitor banks and shunts that—when switched on—only provide a fixed amount of reactive power into the system.

If an entity owns or operates static reactive resources, they should select, “Yes” in answer to the question asking if they own voltage control equipment other than generators. It is important for Texas RE to have a good understanding of an entity’s voltage control capabilities to mitigate the risk of instability and disruptions due to voltage fluctuations.