80 FR 39422 - National Power Transformer Reserve

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 131 (July 9, 2015)

Page Range		39422-39423
FR Document		2015-16784

The Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE), is seeking comments and information from interested parties to inform its policy development related to the possible establishment of a national reserve of power transformers that support the bulk power grid. The focus of the RFI is on the design and implementation of a National Power Transformer Reserve Program.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 131 (Thursday, July 9, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 131 (Thursday, July 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39422-39423]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16784]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


National Power Transformer Reserve

AGENCY: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, 
Department of Energy.

ACTION: Request for information (RFI).

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Electricity Delivery 
and Energy Reliability (OE), is seeking comments and information from 
interested parties to inform its policy development related to the 
possible establishment of a national reserve of power transformers that 
support the bulk power grid. The focus of the RFI is on the design and 
implementation of a National Power Transformer Reserve Program.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 24, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments can be submitted by any of the following methods 
and must be identified as ``Transformer Reserve.'' By the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments. By email: LPT.RFI.2015@hq.doe.gov, and include 
``Transformer Reserve'' in the subject line of the message. By mail: 
Alice Lippert, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, 
U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 1E-078, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585. Note: Delivery of the 
U.S. Postal Service mail to DOE may be delayed by several weeks due to 
security screening. DOE, therefore, encourages those wishing to comment 
to submit comments electronically by email.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Alice Lippert, Office of Electricity Delivery and 
Energy Reliability, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20585 at Alice.Lippert@hq.doe.gov, 202-586-9600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The U.S. electricity sector operates a complex and highly reliable 
electric power system, upon which the Nation's economy and security 
depend. The North American Bulk Power System (BPS) is extensive, 
consisting of various infrastructure components, including 
transformers, switches, transmission towers and lines, control centers, 
and computer controls. Of the BPS' physical infrastructure, large power 
transformers (LPTs) are critical components, because the reliable 
operation of the BPS depends heavily on the safe and efficient 
operation of a network of interconnected LPTs.
    LPTs have long been a concern for the U.S. electricity sector 
because the failure of a single unit can interrupt electricity service 
to a large number of customers and lead to collateral damage, and it 
could be difficult to quickly replace it. LPTs are large, custom-
designed pieces of equipment that entail a significant capital 
expenditure and a long lead-time to manufacture and ship. LPTs are not 
usually interchangeable. System owners often own and maintain spare 
LPTs at a number sufficient to mitigate risks from premature failure. 
The limited availability of spare LPTs, and the long lead times to 
procure replacements, could pose a potential threat to the availability 
and reliability of the Nation's bulk power system in the event of an 
emergency where a relatively large number of existing LPTs are damaged 
or destroyed.
    Large-scale disruptions to the U.S. BPS are rare; however, it faces 
a wide variety of evolving threats, including but not limited to: Cyber 
and physical security intrusions, weather-related

[[Page 39423]]

incidents; geomagnetic disturbances (GMD); and electromagnetic pulse 
(EMP) effects. The electricity sector serves one of the four lifeline 
functions as identified by the Department of Homeland Security, which 
means that its reliable operation is so critical that a disruption or 
loss of electricity will directly affect the security and resilience of 
other critical infrastructure and the Nation.
    The recently released ``Quadrennial Energy Review, Energy 
Transmission, Storage and Distribution Infrastructure Report, April 
2015,'' recommends that ``DOE should coordinate with the Department of 
Homeland Security and other Federal agencies, States, and industry--an 
initiative to mitigate the risks associated with the loss of 
transformers (p. 2-42).'' This request for comment is an initial step 
in executing that recommendation. Part of the national strategy to 
reduce risk from large power transformers, which has been under 
development by the DOE, includes assessing the need for a reserve of 
LPTs.

II. Request for Information

    For the reasons stated above, DOE is exploring possible National 
strategies to mitigate risk to the reliability of the bulk power system 
arising from the loss of LPTs. This RFI provides the public, and 
industry stakeholders, the opportunity to provide their view on the 
development and structure of a National program to establish and 
maintain large power transformer reserves in the United States. The 
intent of this RFI is to solicit information pertinent to the need and 
viability--regulatory, economic, and technical--of such a program. The 
information obtained is meant to be used by DOE for program design and 
strategy development purposes. In your comments, please reference the 
question(s) to which you are responding. Please also provide supporting 
information if noted, including studies, reports, data, and examples 
relevant to mitigating the risks associated with the loss of LPTs.

1. Program Need

    Is there a need for a National Power Transformer Reserve? How would 
such a reserve affect the reliability and resiliency of the North 
American bulk power system? Are there alternatives to a power 
transformer reserve program that can help ensure the reliability, 
resiliency, and recovery of the bulk power system? Is there a need for 
a nationally-maintained inventory of large power transformers?

2. Power Transformer Criteria

    What types and sizes of power transformers should be considered for 
inclusion in a transformer reserve program versus operational spare 
capacity? What are the design considerations for replacement 
transformers to support the bulk power system?

3. Ownership and Economics

    What would be an appropriate structure for procuring and 
inventorying power transformers? How, and by whom, should a program of 
this type be administered? How would a transformer reserve be funded?

4. Technical Considerations

    Is it technically feasible to develop a reserve of large power 
transformers when most are custom engineered? Is additional research 
and development (R&D) necessary to develop suitable replacement 
transformers that can be rapidly deployed from inventory in the event 
of an emergency?

5. Procurement and Management

    How should procurement, maintenance and management of the reserve 
power transformers be conducted? For example, should manufacturers be 
pre-qualified, and if so, according to what criteria?

6. Supply Chain

    What are the critical supply chain components for the manufacture 
and delivery of large power transformers (e.g., electrical steel, 
copper, silicone, high voltage bushings, etc.)? Are there shortages or 
other considerations that could necessitate using the Defense 
Production Act Priority Ratings to ensure sufficient parts are 
available in a time of need? Are there related skilled workforce 
issues?

7. Manufacturing

    Is there adequate manufacturing capacity to support a transformer 
reserve program? What is the lead time for engineering, manufacture, 
and delivery of large power transformers? Are there approaches that 
could help to speed manufacture and delivery of large power 
transformers?

8. Transport and Deployment

    What specialized transport infrastructure would be necessary to 
ship large power transformers from manufacturing site to storage 
locations, and from storage locations to field site in the event of an 
emergency? What should be the number and location of transformer 
storage sites? What are feasible delivery times for LPTs that reside in 
a reserve to an affected site?

9. Field Engineering and Installation

    Are there adequate domestic engineering and installation resources 
available throughout the United States to install multiple bulk power 
transformers simultaneously? What additional resources would be 
necessary?

10. Criteria for Deploying Transformers

    What criteria should be used for activating and deploying 
transformers from the reserve? How would deployment be funded?

11. Additional Comments

    Are there additional concerns regarding a National Power 
Transformer Reserve Program that need to be considered?

    Issued at Washington, DC, on July 2, 2015.
Patricia A. Hoffman,
Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity 
Delivery and Energy Reliability.
[FR Doc. 2015-16784 Filed 7-8-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

39422 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 131 / Thursday, July 9, 2015 / Notices

information. This helps the Department areas and freely associated states and include ‘‘Transformer Reserve’’ in
assess the impact of its information (American Samoa, Federated States of the subject line of the message. By mail:
collection requirements and minimize Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Alice Lippert, Office of Electricity
the public’s reporting burden. It also Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Delivery and Energy Reliability, U.S.
helps the public understand the Islands, Republic of Palau, and the U.S. Department of Energy, Forrestal
Department’s information collection Virgin Islands), the Department of Building, Room 1E–078, 1000
requirements and provide the requested Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), Independence Avenue SW.,
data in the desired format. ED is and the Bureau of Indian Education Washington, DC 20585. Note: Delivery
soliciting comments on the proposed (BIE). NCES seeks authorization from of the U.S. Postal Service mail to DOE
information collection request (ICR) that OMB to continue its EDFacts data may be delayed by several weeks due to
is described below. The Department of collection and is requesting a new security screening. DOE, therefore,
Education is especially interested in clearance for the 2016–17, 2017–18, and encourages those wishing to comment to
public comment addressing the 2018–19 school years in order to submit comments electronically by
following issues: (1) Is this collection continue to provide EDFacts data to email.
necessary to the proper functions of the Department of Education program FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Department; (2) will this information be offices, as well as SEAs, LEAs, and Requests for additional information
processed and used in a timely manner; schools. This collection package will be should be directed to Alice Lippert,
(3) is the estimate of burden accurate; available for public comment during Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy
(4) how might the Department enhance two open periods, a 60 day and a 30 Reliability, U.S. Department of Energy,
the quality, utility, and clarity of the day, and revisions will be made 1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
information to be collected; and (5) how accordingly. This submission includes a Washington, DC 20585 at Alice.Lippert@
might the Department minimize the few proposed changes to the EDFacts
burden of this collection on the hq.doe.gov, 202–586–9600.
data collection. In addition to reviewing
respondents, including through the use SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
the proposed changes (detailed in
of information technology. Please note Attachment C and the B Attachments), I. Background
that written comments received in ED requests that SEAs and other
response to this notice will be The U.S. electricity sector operates a
stakeholders respond to the directed complex and highly reliable electric
considered public records. questions found in Attachment D.
Title of Collection: EDFacts Data power system, upon which the Nation’s
Collection School Years 2016–17, 2017– Dated: July 6, 2015. economy and security depend. The
18, and 2018–19. Kate Mullan, North American Bulk Power System
OMB Control Number: 1850—NEW Acting Director, Information Collection (BPS) is extensive, consisting of various
(previously 1875–0240). Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and infrastructure components, including
Type of Review: A revised information Records Management Services, Office of transformers, switches, transmission
collection. Management. towers and lines, control centers, and
Respondents/Affected Public: State, [FR Doc. 2015–16798 Filed 7–8–15; 8:45 am] computer controls. Of the BPS’ physical
Local or Tribal Government. BILLING CODE 4000–01–P infrastructure, large power transformers
Total Estimated Number of Annual (LPTs) are critical components, because
Responses: 61. the reliable operation of the BPS
Total Estimated Number of Annual DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY depends heavily on the safe and
Burden Hours: 126,880. efficient operation of a network of
Abstract: EDFacts is a U.S. National Power Transformer Reserve interconnected LPTs.
Department of Education (ED) initiative LPTs have long been a concern for the
to collect, analyze, report on and AGENCY: Office of Electricity Delivery U.S. electricity sector because the
promote the use of high-quality, pre- and Energy Reliability, Department of failure of a single unit can interrupt
kindergarten through grade 12 (pre-K– Energy. electricity service to a large number of
12) performance data for use in ACTION: Request for information (RFI). customers and lead to collateral damage,
education planning, policymaking, and and it could be difficult to quickly
SUMMARY: The Department of Energy
management and budget decision replace it. LPTs are large, custom-
(DOE), Office of Electricity Delivery and
making to improve outcomes for designed pieces of equipment that entail
Energy Reliability (OE), is seeking
students. EDFacts enables the National a significant capital expenditure and a
comments and information from
Center for Education Statistics (NCES) long lead-time to manufacture and ship.
interested parties to inform its policy
to report on students, schools, staff, LPTs are not usually interchangeable.
development related to the possible
services, and education outcomes at the System owners often own and maintain
establishment of a national reserve of
state, district, and school levels, by spare LPTs at a number sufficient to
power transformers that support the
centralizing data provided by state mitigate risks from premature failure.
bulk power grid. The focus of the RFI
education agencies, local education The limited availability of spare LPTs,
is on the design and implementation of
agencies, and schools. This centralized and the long lead times to procure
a National Power Transformer Reserve
approach provides ED users with the replacements, could pose a potential
Program.
ability to efficiently analyze and report threat to the availability and reliability
on submitted data and has reduced the DATES: Comments must be received on of the Nation’s bulk power system in the
reporting burden for state and local data or before August 24, 2015. event of an emergency where a
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

producers through the use of ADDRESSES: Comments can be submitted relatively large number of existing LPTs
streamlined data collection, analysis, by any of the following methods and are damaged or destroyed.
and reporting tools. EDFacts collects must be identified as ‘‘Transformer Large-scale disruptions to the U.S.
information on behalf of ED grant and Reserve.’’ By the Federal eRulemaking BPS are rare; however, it faces a wide
program offices for approximately 180 Portal: www.regulations.gov. Follow the variety of evolving threats, including
data groups for all 50 states, Washington instructions for submitting comments. but not limited to: Cyber and physical
DC, Puerto Rico, and seven outlying By email: LPT.RFI.2015@hq.doe.gov, security intrusions, weather-related

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 131 / Thursday, July 9, 2015 / Notices 39423

incidents; geomagnetic disturbances 2. Power Transformer Criteria feasible delivery times for LPTs that
(GMD); and electromagnetic pulse reside in a reserve to an affected site?
What types and sizes of power
(EMP) effects. The electricity sector transformers should be considered for 9. Field Engineering and Installation
serves one of the four lifeline functions inclusion in a transformer reserve
as identified by the Department of Are there adequate domestic
program versus operational spare engineering and installation resources
Homeland Security, which means that capacity? What are the design
its reliable operation is so critical that available throughout the United States
considerations for replacement to install multiple bulk power
a disruption or loss of electricity will transformers to support the bulk power
directly affect the security and transformers simultaneously? What
system? additional resources would be
resilience of other critical infrastructure
and the Nation. 3. Ownership and Economics necessary?
The recently released ‘‘Quadrennial What would be an appropriate 10. Criteria for Deploying Transformers
Energy Review, Energy Transmission, structure for procuring and inventorying What criteria should be used for
Storage and Distribution Infrastructure power transformers? How, and by activating and deploying transformers
Report, April 2015,’’ recommends that whom, should a program of this type be from the reserve? How would
‘‘DOE should coordinate with the administered? How would a transformer deployment be funded?
Department of Homeland Security and reserve be funded?
other Federal agencies, States, and 11. Additional Comments
4. Technical Considerations
industry—an initiative to mitigate the Are there additional concerns
risks associated with the loss of Is it technically feasible to develop a regarding a National Power Transformer
transformers (p. 2–42).’’ This request for reserve of large power transformers Reserve Program that need to be
comment is an initial step in executing when most are custom engineered? Is considered?
that recommendation. Part of the additional research and development Issued at Washington, DC, on July 2, 2015.
national strategy to reduce risk from (R&D) necessary to develop suitable Patricia A. Hoffman,
large power transformers, which has replacement transformers that can be
Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of
been under development by the DOE, rapidly deployed from inventory in the Energy, Office of Electricity Delivery and
includes assessing the need for a reserve event of an emergency? Energy Reliability.
of LPTs. 5. Procurement and Management [FR Doc. 2015–16784 Filed 7–8–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
II. Request for Information How should procurement,
maintenance and management of the
For the reasons stated above, DOE is
reserve power transformers be DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
exploring possible National strategies to conducted? For example, should
mitigate risk to the reliability of the bulk manufacturers be pre-qualified, and if
power system arising from the loss of Office of Energy Efficiency and
so, according to what criteria? Renewable Energy
LPTs. This RFI provides the public, and
industry stakeholders, the opportunity 6. Supply Chain Bioproducts To Enable Biofuels
to provide their view on the What are the critical supply chain Workshop
development and structure of a National components for the manufacture and
program to establish and maintain large AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and
delivery of large power transformers
power transformer reserves in the Renewable Energy, Department of
(e.g., electrical steel, copper, silicone,
United States. The intent of this RFI is Energy.
high voltage bushings, etc.)? Are there
to solicit information pertinent to the ACTION: Notice of public workshop.
shortages or other considerations that
need and viability—regulatory, could necessitate using the Defense SUMMARY: The Department of Energy
economic, and technical—of such a Production Act Priority Ratings to
program. The information obtained is (DOE) is announcing a public workshop
ensure sufficient parts are available in a entitled, ‘‘Bioproducts to Enable
meant to be used by DOE for program time of need? Are there related skilled
design and strategy development Biofuels Workshop’’. The Bioenergy
workforce issues? Technologies Office (BETO) is seeking
purposes. In your comments, please
reference the question(s) to which you 7. Manufacturing to collect information from key
are responding. Please also provide industry, university, national laboratory,
Is there adequate manufacturing and other stakeholders regarding
supporting information if noted, capacity to support a transformer
including studies, reports, data, and challenges associated with the
reserve program? What is the lead time coproduction of biomass derived
examples relevant to mitigating the risks for engineering, manufacture, and
associated with the loss of LPTs. chemicals, products, and biofuels.
delivery of large power transformers? DATES: The public workshop will be
1. Program Need Are there approaches that could help to held on July 16, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. to
speed manufacture and delivery of large 5:30 p.m. MDT in Westminster,
Is there a need for a National Power power transformers? Colorado.
Transformer Reserve? How would such
8. Transport and Deployment ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
a reserve affect the reliability and
resiliency of the North American bulk What specialized transport The Westin Westminster, 10600
srobinson on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

power system? Are there alternatives to infrastructure would be necessary to Westminster Blvd., Westminster,
a power transformer reserve program ship large power transformers from Colorado 80020.
that can help ensure the reliability, manufacturing site to storage locations, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
resiliency, and recovery of the bulk and from storage locations to field site Questions may be directed to Andrea
power system? Is there a need for a in the event of an emergency? What Bailey at 303–425–6800 ext. 460 or by
nationally-maintained inventory of large should be the number and location of email at andrea.bailey@ee.doe.gov.
power transformers? transformer storage sites? What are SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:14:10
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:14:10

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Request for information (RFI).
Dates		Comments must be received on or before August 24, 2015.
Contact		Requests for additional information should be directed to Alice Lippert, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585 at [email protected], 202-586-9600.
FR Citation		80 FR 39422