Introduction

Background

The Planned Outage Coordination process (POCP) and the POCP database were jointly developed by electricity industry participants and Transpower through a series of joint industry workshops during 2002/2003. A further series of joint industry workshops reviewed the POCP and the database in early 2006.

The purpose of the POCP is to provide a consistent approach for Asset Owners to publicly advise timely and good quality information about their planned outages. This allows Transpower as the System Operator to assess the potential impacts of the planned outages on power system security, and then communicate the results of the security assessments to all industry participants. All parties are then able to use that information to make decisions about planned outages in which they have an interest.

The POCP is a voluntary process. It does not override any obligations imposed on Asset Owners or the System Operator by the Rules.

Planned Outage Co-ordination Process (POCP)

The POCP can be summarised as follows:

• Asset owners provide the System Operator with up to date information on planned outages;
• The System Operator receives and collates the outage information, and publishes it on a ongoing basis in the POCP database;
• All published information can be viewed by any industry participant;
• The System Operator undertakes ongoing security assessments based on the information received, and notifies the market of any potential conflict with the System Operator's ability to meet the requirements of its Principle Performance Objectives;
• Asset owners assess all available information, make decisions in relation to their assets, and notify the System Operator of any changes;
• Any potential EGR issues not resolved by Asset Owner action will be managed by the System Operator in real time.

A detailed process flow chart for the POCP, and supporting Business Rules, are included in Appendix A.

Benefits to Asset Owners of using the POCP

The POCP and database, provide electricity industry participants with information on planned outages affecting the New Zealand Power System. Being part of the POCP allows Asset Owners to:

• Improve their outage planning through database access to information on planned outages of other Asset Owners;
• Effectively communicate with the System Operator on planned outages;
• Work together with other members of the industry to better co-ordinate planned outages.

For further information

For more information on the POCP, the POCP Database or this User Guide please contact:

Greg Spence
Operations Planning Manager
Transpower New Zealand Ltd.
PO Box 1021
Wellington
system.operator@transpower.co.nz