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2010 September - December

We periodically post bulletins here to inform customers of developments within BC Hydro Transmission and/or the industry and/or to solicit feedback on policy changes. These announcements can be time sensitive, so please subscribe for the updates.

Stay informed about our bulletins by subscribing for automatic email notifications.

Our Transmission Scheduling bulletins for 2010 are listed below. Select another year to the right to view bulletins from the archive.

View the 2010 bulletins

September - December

Title Bulletin Date
OATT Amendment Application December 30, 12:10 p.m.
Counterflow ATC
December 23, 9:45 a.m.
Extended Windows for New Years Day December 20, 10:13 a.m.
Extended Windows for Christmas Day December 20, 10:06 a.m.
BC Hydro to Conduct Customer Workshop December 3, 1:53 p.m.
Counteroffer - System Issue December 3, 11:28 a.m.
MODS Implemented Successfully December 1, 4:49 a.m.
TSR Processing & OASIS/ETS Outages for MODS Implementation November 30, 11:04 p.m.
Cut-over TSR Processing Suspended November 30, 6:54 p.m.
BCHA Entity Code Enabled November 30, 4:39 p.m.
Release of Unused Transmission in Pre-schedule for Grandfathered Agreements November 30, 2:27 p.m.
Cut-over - Transmission Purchasing November 30, 12:13 p.m.
Cut-over Tagging & TSR submission November 30, 11:38 a.m.
Cut-over to BCHA Entity Code - UPDATE November 30, 9:56 a.m.
Cut-over to BCHA Entity Code- Delayed November 30, 8:59 a.m.
MODS Cut-over ETS Outage - Delayed November 30, 7:03 a.m.
Cut-over to BCHA Entity Code November 30, 5:49 a.m.
MODS Cut-over Plan- REMINDER November 29, 10:04 a.m.
Using the Blanket Approach with MODS November 22, 6:38 p.m.
NE Economic Test Results - November 24, 2010 November 22, 10:40 a.m.
More New Business Practices Effective - December 1, 2010 November 18, 12:13 p.m.
Tagging on Another Entity's Transmission November 17, 2:05 p.m.
Extended Windows for US Thanksgiving Day November 15, 4:09 p.m.
MODS Implementation Date Confirmed November 15, 3:41 p.m.
Customer Sandbox Testing #2 for MODS - Extended November 15, 3:40 p.m.
OATT Amendments November 10, 11:33 a.m.
OASIS/TSS Issues November 6, 4:25 a.m.
BC Hydro TSS Now Functioning Properly November 6, 7:40 a.m.
Customer Sandbox Testing #2 for MODS – RE-OPENED November 5, 3:44 p.m.
Extended Windows for Remembrance Day November 5, 12:54 p.m.
Customer Sandbox Testing #2 - PCM & SSW Update November 3, 3:50 p.m.
Customer Questions about MODS Cut-Over Plan November 2, 4:20 p.m.
More New Business Practices Effective December 1, 2010 November 2, 4:01 p.m.
Customer Sandbox Testing #2 for MODS - Additional Information November 2, 3:49 p.m.
Customer Sandbox Testing #2 for MODS - Clarification November 1, 4:47 p.m.
New Business Practices Effective December 1, 2010 November 1, 4:40 p.m.
MODS Cut-over Plan November 1, 12:45 p.m.
BC Hydro Transmission Web Site Outage Notification November 1, 5:50 p.m.
Responses to MODS Information Session # 3 October 29, 10:10 a.m.
New Pre-schedule Office Numbers October 26, 4:06 p.m.
Customer Sandbox Testing #2 for MODS October 25, 4:38 p.m.
Extended Windows for New Month November 2010 October 25, 2:50 p.m.
Long Term Rollover and Competing Process September 23, 3:37 p.m.
Customer Sandbox Testing for MODS September 23, 12:57 p.m.
Notice of Regulatory Filing September 17, 2:05 p.m.
Long Term Rollover and Competing Process September 9, 5:27 p.m.
Long Term Rollover and Competing Process September 7, 10:10 a.m.
Ancillary Services September 3, 5:12 p.m.


OATT Amendment Application

Posted on December 30, 12:10 p.m.

On December 9, 2010 the British Columbia Utilities Commission issued Order No. G-192-10 approving BC Hydro’s OATT Amendment Application. A copy of the BCUC Decision can be found here.


Counterflow ATC

Posted on December 23, 9:45 a.m.

Please be advised that due to technical difficulties, counterflow ATC is not being released for Non-Firm purchase. BC Hydro is investigating the issue and will advise once the issue is resolved.


Extended Windows for New Years Day

Posted on December 20, 10:13 a.m.

BC Hydro is pleased to visually clarify the opening of extended windows [DOC, 58 KB] for purchasing transmission for New Years Day, Saturday, January 1, 2011.


Extended Windows for Christmas Day

Posted on December 20, 10:06 a.m.

BC Hydro is pleased to visually clarify the opening of extended windows [DOC, 51 KB] for purchasing transmission for Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25, 2010.


BC Hydro to Conduct Customer Workshop

Posted on December 3, 1:53 p.m.

BC Hydro will be conducting a workshop early in the New Year to engage customers in discussion regarding BC Hydro’s commitment to a non-discriminatory open access transmission market in British Columbia. Customers have raised concerns regarding the reintegration of BCTC and BC Hydro and its impact to a non-discriminatory open access transmission market. A workshop will be held to listen and to respond to customer concerns. The date and agenda is currently under consideration and will be announced in the near future. Please ensure you subscribe to BC Hydro Transmission’s Workshops & Presentations webpage located at http://transmission.bchydro.com/transmission_scheduling/workshops_presentations/2010/ so that you are automatically notified when the workshop is announced.


Counteroffer - System Issue

Posted on December 3, 11:28 a.m.

BC Hydro is aware that there is a system issue regarding TSRs being counteroffered with a reservation profile that starts or leads with 0MW, which is contrary to Section 2.4 of its Submitting a Short Term Transmission Service Request Business Practice. Therefore, BC Hydro will be annulling the TSRs that were erroneously counteroffered, which start with a 0MW profile. BC Hydro is working on a fix to this issue and appreciates your patience regarding this matter.  


MODS Implemented Successfully

Posted on December 1, 4:49 a.m.

BC Hydro is pleased to announce the successful implementation of our MODS Project effective 05:00:00 PPT. Our amended scheduling Business Practices are posted on our web site under the Business Practices section.

Further to the bulletins posted on November 30 at 6:54 pm and 11:04pm, TSR processing will recommence at 05:00:00 PPT for those TSRs that were submitted prior to the OASIS and ETS outages. Please monitor your TSRs as all notifications will be sent to the email address in the TSR pursuant to the Business Practices.

Thank you, once again, for your support and patience regarding this complex transition.


TSR Processing & OASIS/ETS Outages for MODS Implementation

Posted on November 30, 11:04 p.m.

Further to the bulletins posted on November 30, 2010 at 6:54 p.m. and November 29, 2010 at 10:04 a.m., TSR processing will continue to be suspended and OASIS and ETS outages will commence between the hours of 00:00:00 PPT (midnight) and 05:00:00 PPT on December 1, 2010 to facilitate the cut-over to MODS.


Cut-over TSR Processing Suspended

Posted on November 30, 6:54 p.m.

BC Hydro is experiencing difficulty with ATC/TTC processing. As such, BC Hydro is endeavouring to rectify the ATC/TTC offerings on OASIS and will suspend TSR processing until this issue is rectified.


BCHA Entity Code Enabled

Posted on November 30, 4:39 p.m.

BC Hydro apologizes for the delay and thanks all customers for their patience regarding the cut-over. Further to the bulletin posted on November 29, 2010 at 10:04 and the bulletins posted on November 30, BC Hydro is pleased to announce that it has enabled the entity code BCHA. Therefore, customers MUST purchase transmission service under the TP code of BCHA for use on December 1 onwards commencing 17:00:00 PPT. Transmission purchased for December 1 onwards under the TP code of BCTC will be denied. BC Hydro will not transfer or accommodate queue positions based on entries for December 1 onwards that are made after 13:00:00 PPT under the TP code of BCTC.

BC Hydro will curtail any confirmed or implemented tags that use the BCTC TP code that run beyond 00:00:00 PPT on December 1. Customers will have to get their tags re-approved by WECC entities from 00:00:00 PPT on December 1 onwards.


Release of Unused Transmission in Pre-schedule for Grandfathered Agreements

Posted on November 30, 2:27 p.m.

Due to the technical difficulties that BC Hydro sustained because of the MODS cut-over, BC Hydro could not facilitate the release of capacity of the grandfathered transmission reservations pursuant to Section 5.0 of the TTC/ATC Business Practice.


Cut-over - Transmission Purchasing

Posted on November 30, 12:13 p.m.

Further to the bulletin posted on November 30 at 9:56 a.m., BC Hydro is extending the time for customers wishing to purchase transmission for December 1 onwards under the BCTC entity code until 13:00:00 PPT. BC Hydro will migrate the TSRs that are purchased until 13:00:00 PPT.  


Cut-over Tagging & TSR submission

Posted on November 30, 11:38 a.m.

BC Hydro wishes to advise customers that they can submit tags under the BCHA entity code for TSRs that are CONFIRMED under BCHA. Please do not submit TSRs under the BCHA entity code until advised via bulletin.


Cut-over to BCHA Entity Code – UPDATE

Posted on November 30, 9:56 a.m.

Further to the bulletins posted on November 29 at 10:04 am, November 30 at 5:49 am, and November 30 at 7:03 am, BC Hydro is experiencing technical difficulties enabling the BCHA entity code on OASIS. Therefore, customers wishing to purchase transmission for December 1 onwards should do so under the BCTC entity code until 11:00:00 PPT. BC Hydro will migrate the TSRs that are purchased until 11:00:00 PPT. Customers will then be able to tag at 11:30:00 PPT, under the BCHA entity, on their TSRs that were purchased for December 1 onwards. There will be no ETS outage further to the November 30 at 7:03 am bulletin.  


Cut-over to BCHA Entity Code - Delayed

Posted on November 30, 8:59 a.m.

Further to the bulletins posted on November 29 at 10:04 am and November 30, 2010 at 5:49 am entitled MODS Cut-over to BCHA Entity Code, respectively, BCHA is not yet available on OASIS and therefore the market for this entity code will not open at 09:00:00 PPT. We anticipate that the market for BCHA will open at 11:00:00 PPT, but will post another bulletin to confirm this timeline.


MODS Cut-over ETS Outage - Delayed

Posted on November 30 , 7:03 a.m.

Further to the bulletin posted on November 29, 2010 at 10:04 am entitled MODS Cut-over Plan, BC Hydro wishes to advise customers that the ETS outage is delayed. We will post a bulletin when we have more information.


Cut-over to BCHA Entity Code

Posted on November 30 , 5:49 a.m.

Further to the bulletin posted on November 29, 2010 at 10:04 am entitled MODS Cut-over Plan, BC Hydro wishes to remind customers that BC Hydro is cutting over to its BCHA entity code between 06:00:00 and 09:00:00 PPT this morning.  


MODS Cut-over Plan- REMINDER

Posted on November 29 , 10:04 a.m.

Further to the bulletin posted on November 1, 2010 at 12:45 pm, BC Hydro is pleased to remind customers that on December 1, 2010 there will be OASIS and ETS outages declared between the hours of 00:00:00 PPT (midnight) and 05:00:00 PPT to facilitate the cut-over to MODS.

We are committed to working with all affected parties to ensure a smooth transition. To achieve this objective, we are pleased to provide our cut-over plan to you for Transmission and Energy scheduling as follows:

November 30

Transmission Processing

  • Customers can purchase transmission services under the TP code of BCTC on November 30 for use on November 30.
  • At 07:00:00 PPT BC Hydro will enable BCHA as a TP on its Production OASIS and replicate all ACTIVE TSRs for December 1, 2010 from BCTC to BCHA. All TSRs that have an end time prior to December 1 or have been denied for whatever reason will remain under BCTC for archive purposes. Customers will then need to update their own user profile in Production OASIS, by going to User, clicking on their own user profile, and selecting the BCHA check box for the Transmission Provider.
  • Once BC Hydro is ready to enable BCHA, customers MUST purchase transmission service under the TP code of BCHA for use on December 1 onwards. BC Hydro will send a bulletin to advise. Transmission purchased for December 1 onwards under the TP code of BCTC will be denied. BC Hydro will not transfer or accommodate queue positions based on entries for December 1 onwards that are made under the TP code of BCTC after 07:00:00 PPT.
  • BC Hydro may not be able to perform, and may suspend, competition during the 07:00 - 09:00 time period due to the system transition.
  • Customers can continue to use the Blanket approach when specifying transmission on eTags but MUST enter an active CONFIRMED TSR OASIS AREF on the eTag and not use an older or archived TSR OASIS AREF.

eTag Processing

  • BCHA TP code will be active and reside in the WECC Registry. Both BCTC and BCHA will be active on November 30.
  • Customers can tag under the TP code of BCTC on November 30 for use on November 30.
  • From 06:30:00 - 07:00:00 PPT there will be an eTag (ETS) outage.
  • Prior to 09:00:00 PPT, customers MUST NOT tag for December 1 onwards. Tags cannot cross November and December. If tags do cross over from November to December, customers must terminate their tags for end of day on November 30 and get tags re-approved from 00:00:00 PPT on December 1 onwards.
  • BC Hydro will post a bulletin to advise once BCHA is ready for tagging. BC Hydro anticipates this time to be 09:00:00 PPT onwards. At this time, tags must be submitted to BCHA for approval for use on December 1 onwards. Tags submitted to BCTC for approval for use on December 1 onwards will be denied. BC Hydro will not transfer tags or accommodate queue positions based on entries made under BCTC after 09:00:00 PPT.
  • After 09:00:00 PPT, BC Hydro will curtail any confirmed or implemented tags that used the BCTC TP code that run beyond 00:00:00 PPT on December 1. Customers will have to get their tags re-approved by WECC entities from 00:00:00 PPT on December 1 onwards.

December 1

  • From 00:00:00 PPT to 05:00:00 PPT on December 1 there will be OASIS and eTag (ETS) outages.
  • During the outage period, BC Hydro interchange schedulers will rely upon adjacent Balancing Authorities for energy management.
  • BC Hydro interchange schedulers will perform curtailments manually, if required.
    All active TSRs will be ported in OASIS from the BCTC TP code to the BCHA TP code and AREF numbers will be the same.
  • Any TSR or tag request during this period will be invalid; BC hydro will not process TSRs or tags. Customers will not be able to transact on OASIS or ETS until the outage is lifted and normal operations resume.
  • Only emergency requests from adjacent Balancing Authorities and BC hydro LSEs for energy will be accommodated.
  • The outage may be lifted before the scheduled end time or it may be extended if there are issues encountered during the transition. Customers will be notified through the bulletin system once the transition is complete or if an extension is required.

Please contact Brenda Ambrosi if you have any questions.


Using the Blanket Approach with MODS

Posted on November 22 , 6:38 p.m.

BC Hydro understands that some of its customers (PSEs) have numerous TSRs of the same class (firmness) and therefore currently use the Blanket Approach when designating transmission on their eTag. As PSEs are aware, the Blanket Approach will be changing with the implementation of MODS on December 1, 2010. In order to use this approach, the PSE must select an active CONFIRMED TSR OASIS AREF and add a “B” after the OASIS AREF. Active is defined as a TSR that is CONFIRMED and has at least one hour within the start and stop time of the eTag.

BC Hydro has explored how best to continue the facilitation of the Blanket Approach and provide ease of use of this approach for PSEs that have numerous TSRs of the same class on high usage paths. Therefore, BC Hydro will evaluate each PSEs requirement for a blanket reference number on a case-by-case basis. BC Hydro asks customers to send the following information to Brenda Ambrosi at their earliest convenience if they wish to be considered for setup of blanket service:

  • Customer Entity Code of the transmission owner;
  • NERC Priority Code for transmission usage; and
  • Path or POR/POD combinations using BC Hydro's new contract path model.

For example, a PSE wishing to designate all of its Firm TSRs on an eTag from BPAT-AESO using the blanket approach would use the blanket reference “7FUSABB” as set up for the PSE by BC Hydro. “7F” reflects the NERC Priority Code, “USAB” represents the path BPAT-AESO, and “B” indicates the Blanket Approach.

Please note that this service does not supersede the ability of customers to use the Blanket Service as outlined in the Submitting Energy Schedules Business Practices.


NE Economic Test Results- November 24, 2010

Posted on November 22, 10:40 a.m.

BC Hydro has identified that there has been technical difficulty with posting the Network Economy Economic Test Results (NE ETR) for November 24, 2010.  We are posting NE ETR via bulletin. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.


More New Business Practices Effective December 1, 2010

Posted on November 18, 12:13 p.m.

Further to the bulletin posted on November 2, 2010, at 4:01 p.m., BC Hydro is pleased to post the Processing of Long Term Point-to-Point Transmission Service Requests Business Practice [PDF, 481 KB] (BP) and Shaped Service BP [PDF, 415 KB] as a separate BP until it is replaced by the Conditional Firm Service (CFS) BP.

BC Hydro had anticipated offering Conditional Firm Service (CFS) concurrently with the implementation of MODS. However, since CFS is a new transmission service,

BC Hydro would like to consult with its Wholesale Transmission Customers before finalizing the way in which the service is offered through the CFS Business Practice. Therefore, BC hydro is proposing to hold a workshop in Vancouver in mid January 2011 to present a draft CFS Business Practice. Below is BC Hydro's proposed consultation plan:

  • BC Hydro will post a draft CFS Business Practice by January 5, 2011
  • BC Hydro will hold a workshop to present draft CFS BP on January 17, 2011
  • Customer will have until January 31, 2011 to submit comments on the draft CFS
  • BPBC Hydro will post its responses to Customers' comments on February 7, 2011 If required,
  • BC Hydro will hold a second workshop to present the final draft on February 14,
  • 2011 BC Hydro will post the final CFS BP by February 28, 2011 CFS BP will become effective on April 1,
  • 2011 Also, during the 2008 Application to Amend the OATT proceedings, BC Hydro committed to provide information on NERC's TTC/ATC Methodologies after they have been approved by FERC.
  • BC hydro would like to use this opportunity to provide this information at the January 17, 2011 workshop.

Tagging on Another Entity's Transmission

Posted on November 17 , 2:05 p.m.

BC Hydro wishes to advise customers that when one entity (Entity 1) is tagging on another entity's (Entity 2) transmission with their approval, the tagging Entity must abide by the Loss methodology for the Transmission Owner. Therefore if Entity 2 has elected to physically settle for losses for the year, then Entity 1 or Entity 2 must provide a loss schedule for all of the energy schedules that were entered by Entity 1, in order for Entity 2 to remain compliant with its annual loss election. Otherwise, Entity 2 shall be assessed with a strike under BC Hydro's Loss Compensation Service and would be required to financially settle losses after 3 strikes were incurred. Please refer to Section 2 of the Ancillary Services [PDF, 477 KB] Business Practice.

If Entity 1 is continually tagging on Entity 2's transmission, then BC Hydro strongly recommends that Entity 2 performs a RESALE or TRANSFER of the transmission rights to Entity 1 so that Entity 1's loss election can apply to the transactions.


Extended Windows for US Thanksgiving Day

Posted on November 15, 4:09 p.m

BC Hydro is pleased to visually clarify the opening of extended windows [DOC, 60 KB] for purchasing transmission for US Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 2010.


MODS Implementation Date Confirmed

Posted on November 15, 3:41 p.m.

Further to the bulletin posted on November 1 at 12:45 p.m., BC Hydro is pleased to confirm that it will be implementing MODS at 00:00:00 PPT (midnight) on December 1, 2010. Please refer to the MODS Cut-over Plan posted in this bulletin.

Also, please note that the Business Practices posted on November 1 at 4:40 p.m., and November 2 at 4:01 p.m., will be effective at 00:00:00 PPT (midnight) on December 1, 2010.

Lastly, further to the bulletin posted on November 3 at 4:20 p.m., BC Hydro is pleased to report that the issues regarding pre-emption and competition that were being experienced in Sandbox testing have been resolved.

Customers should follow bulletins very closely for the next couple of weeks as BC Hydro will update customers on any changes in the cut-over plan, as required. If you have any questions please contact Brenda Ambrosi.


Customer Sandbox Testing #2 for MODS – Extended

Posted on November 15, 3:40 p.m.

Further to the bulletins posted on October 25 at 4:38 p.m., November 2 at 3:49 p.m., and November 5 at 4:55 p.m., BC Hydro is pleased to announce that Customer Sandbox Testing #2 will be extended until noon on November 19. Again, please contact Brenda Ambrosi if you have any questions.


OATT Amendments

Posted on November 10, 11:33 a.m.

The BCUC has issued Order No. G-166-10 providing OATT customers and interested parties an opportunity to provide comments on BC Hydro's OATT Amendment application in writing to the BCUC and copy to BC Hydro by November 22, 2010.

BC Hydro's OATT Amendment application materials can be found here.

A copy of BCUC Order No. G-166-10 can be found here [PDF, 268 KB].


OASIS/TSS Issues

Posted on November 6, 4:25 a.m.

BCH Transmission is currently experiencing problems with OASIS/TSS, effective November 6, 2010 @ 4:25 Pacific. As a result, backup procedures will be in effect for Real-time and Pre-schedule until our system is restored. A subsequent bulletin will be posted when normal procedures can be followed.


BC Hydro TSS Now Functioning Properly

Posted on November 6, 7:40 a.m.

As of 7:32 November 6, 2010, BC Hydro TSS malfunction has been resolved and Manual Procedures are no longer in effect. Please resume normal procedures.


Customer Sandbox Testing #2 for MODS – RE-OPENED

Posted on November 5, 3:44 p.m.

Further to the bulletins posted on October 25 at 4:38 p.m. and, November 2 at 3:49 p.m., BC Hydro is pleased to announce that customer Sandbox testing will be re-opened at 00:00:00 PPT (midnight) on November 8 and will close at noon on November 12. Again, please contact Brenda Ambrosi if you have any questions.


Extended Windows for Remembrance Day

Posted on November 5, 12:54 p.m.

BC Hydro is pleased to visually clarify the opening of extended windows [DOC, 52 KB] for purchasing transmission for Remembrance Day, Thursday, November 11, 2010.


Customer Sandbox Testing #2 – PCM & SSW Update

Posted on November 3, 3:50 p.m.

Further to the bulletins posted on October 25, November 1, and November 2, BC Hydro appreciates customers’ participating in the Sandbox testing for MODS. BC Hydro verified that the Simultaneous Submission Window (SSW) was functioning as required. However, customers were not responding to Counteroffers, which resulted in delays in processing the queue. Some issues regarding pre-emption and competition were identified and BC Hydro is working to resolve them. BC Hydro encourages customers to continue their testing and report discrepancies to Brenda Ambrosi immediately for investigation.


Customer Questions about MODS Cut – Over Plan

Posted on November 2, 4:20 p.m.

BC Hydro received the following questions pertaining to the MODS Cut-over Plan and is pleased to share its responses with all customers.

After the MODS upgrade transition, what is the expected change on all active eTags that were created prior to the cutover?

a. Will POR/POD points and Source/Sink points be converted to the new codes on the existing active eTags?

No, POR/POD points for eTags will not be converted. BC Hydro proposes to have all eTags prior to December 1 be under BCTC and all tags after December 1 be under BCHA. eTags submitted under BCHA would use the registered POR/POD/Source/Sink that have been registered under NERC for BCHA. Customers should not use POR/POD/Source/Sink that have registered under BCTC for tags starting December 1 and beyond; eTags submitted using old POR/POD/Source/Sink registrations will be DENIED.

b. Will you be replicating new eTags with the same eTag Code, but containing new POR/POD and Source/Sink codes?

No, BC Hydro will not be replicating new eTags based on the old eTags. As defined in BC Hydro’s MODS Cut-over Plan bulletin posted on November 1, customers must submit eTags appropriately for the time horizon.

If there are curtailments on active eTags that were created prior to the upgrade transition, will they be applied to the AREFs that reference the new POR/POD codes?
eTag curtailments will be performed up to and including November 30 to eTags as BCTC. On December 1, eTags will be curtailed by BCHA.

Do you plan to stage a simulation exercise on the MODS upgrade process so that customers can verify adaptation of their internal systems?

Due to the complexity of the modifications BC Hydro will simulate its cutover with internal test systems. BC Hydro cannot include customers in the simulation test because it cannot guarantee confidentiality of market transactions in a simulated environment.

Is there a rollback possibility of the MODS upgrade process? If yes, do you expect customers continue to use active reservations with the old codes?

Due to the implementation of the new OATT as well as new Business Practices on 00:00:00 (midnight) December 1, 2010, it will not be possible to rollback once the implementation has started.

Regarding the reference codes currently published in Sandbox Testing #2 under the demo OATI webOASIS site, are these reference codes finalized or do we expect further changes as it approaches the production upgrade cutover?

BC Hydro has provided all its new paths, POR/POD points and Source/Sink points on its DEMO OASIS. The sandbox should reflect BCHA reference points based on the new Business Practices. If customers find a discrepancy please advise Brenda Ambrosi immediately for investigation.


More New Business Practices Effective December 1, 2010

Posted on November 2, 4:01 p.m.

Further to the bulletin posted on November 1 at 4:40 p.m., BC hydro is pleased to provide the following Long Term Business Practices, which will be effective December 1, 2010, when we anticipate MODS to be implemented:

Submitting a Long Term Transmission Service Request [PDF, 399 KB]
Rollover of a Long Term Transmission Reservation [PDF, 565 KB]
Designation of New Network Resources [PDF, 212 KB]
Open Season [PDF, 310 KB]
Performance Metrics and Penalties - Study for Transmission Service Requests [PDF, 533 KB]

The Processing of a Long Term Point-to-Point Transmission Service Request and Conditional Firm Service Business Practices will be forthcoming.

If you have any questions or comment, please contact Brenda Ambrosi.


Customer Sandbox Testing #2 for MODS – Additional Information

Posted on November 2, 3:49 p.m.

Further to the bulletins posted on November 1 and October 25, BC Hydro reviewed the transactional activity of the coordinated customer testing for the Simultaneous Submission Window (SSW) and Pre-emption and Competition (PCM). BC Hydro identified an issue with cross talk between the BCTC and BCHA container names, which it has now rectified.

BC Hydro encourages customers to continue their testing in the Sandbox until it is closed at 12:00:00 PPT (noon) on November 5. Customers can continue to submit Hourly and Daily Firm and Non-Firm TSRs with varying profiles at 00:00:00 PPT (midnight) each day, up to and including November 5, during the SSW with the objective of exhausting ATC and triggering subsequent pre-emption and competition. Customers can also continue to test PCM at 06:00:00 PPT every morning until November 5 as well.

In addition to the Sandbox Testing on DEMO OASIS and DEMO ETS, customers can view their Production TSRs being processed by MODS on BC Hydro's TEST OASIS (https://bctctest.oatioasis.com/). Customers should NOT submit TSRs on TEST OASIS or MODIFY any TSRs on TEST OASIS. This will negatively affect BC Hydro's Parallel Operations. BC Hydro is providing this view-only access so that customers can see how MODS is processing current TSRs based on new Business Practices. If there are any questions about TSRs processed on TEST OASIS, please contact Brenda Ambrosi immediately.


Customer Sandbox Testing #2 for MODS – Clarification

Posted on November 1 , 4:47 p.m.

Further to the bulletin posted on October 25, 2010, this is to clarify that customers should submit TSRs under the container name BCHA and NOT under the container name BCTC.

It is important to note that in OASIS, customers need to update their own user profile by going to User, clicking on their own user profile, and selecting the BCHA check box at the Provider in order to test the BCHA container name.


New Business Practices Effective December 1, 2010

Posted on November 1, 4:40 p.m.

BC Hydro is pleased to post its new Business Practices, which will be effective December 1, 2010 when we anticipate MODS to be implemented.

On August 17, 2010, BC Hydro posted eight Business Practices for comment and discussion at its MODS Information Session #3 on September 10, 2010, as set out below. Consequently, BC Hydro amended some of these Business Practices based on that discussion. Amendments are identified on the right hand side of the document with vertical lines.

Posting of Transmission Service Offerings [PDF, 639 KB]
Submitting a Short Term Transmission Service Request [PDF, 428 KB]
Processing of Short Term Transmission Service Requests [PDF, 462 KB]
Redirect of a Transmission Reservation [PDF, 390 KB]
Resale and Transfer of Transmission Rights [PDF, 385 KB]
Submitting Energy Schedules [PDF, 840 KB]
Processing of Energy Schedules [PDF, 363 KB]
Curtailment of Transmission and Energy [PDF, 420 KB]

At the MODS Information Session #3, BC Hydro stated that it would be posting the remainder of its re-formatted Business Practices prior to the implementation of MODS. The remaining Short Term Business Practices are set out below and will also be effective December 1, 2010, when we anticipate MODS to be implemented.

Becoming a BC Hydro Transmission Customer [PDF, 547 KB]

Supplemental Documents:
Ancillary Services Election Form [PDF, 118 KB]
Shipper's Declaration Form [PDF, 15 KB]
Supply of Power Losses Election Form [PDF, 120 KB]
Sworn Statement [PDF, 109 KB]
Ancillary Services [PDF, 118 KB]
Settlements and Billing [PDF, 446 KB]
TTC/ATC [PDF, 875 KB]
Network Economy [PDF, 547 KB]

The Long Term Business Practices will be forthcoming, and will include the following:

  • Submitting a Long Term Transmission Service Request
  • Processing of a Long Term Point-to-Point Transmission Service Request
  • Rollover of a Long Term Transmission Reservation
  • Conditional Firm Service
  • Designation of New Network Resources
  • Open Season
  • Performance Metrics and Penalties – Study for Transmission Service Requests
  • If you have any questions or comments, please contact Brenda Ambrosi.

MODS Cut-over Plan

Posted on November 1, 12:45 p.m.

BC Hydro is currently in the process of implementing its MODS Project. The cut-over of MODS is tentatively scheduled for December 1, 2010 between the hours of 00:00:00 PPT (midnight) and 05:00:00 PPT during which time there will be OASIS and ETS outages declared. We are committed to working with all affected parties to ensure a smooth transition. To achieve this objective, we are pleased to provide our cut-over plan to you for Transmission and Energy scheduling as follows:

November 25 Customers must cease using the SuperBlanket approach when specifying transmission on their eTags. BC Hydro cannot guarantee that Superblanket requests made after this date will be processed correctly due to system transitions.

Customers can continue to use the Blanket approach when specifying transmission on eTags but MUST enter an active CONFIRMED TSR OASIS AREF on the eTag and not use an older or archived TSR OASIS AREF.
November 30

Transmission Processing

Customers can purchase transmission services under the TP code of BCTC on November 30 for use on November 30.

At 07:00:00 PPT BC Hydro will enable BCHA as a TP on its Production OASIS and replicate all ACTIVE TSRs for December 1, 2010 from BCTC to BCHA. All TSRs that have an end time prior to December 1 or have been denied for whatever reason will remain under BCTC for archive purposes. Customers will then need to update their own user profile in Production OASIS, by going to User, clicking on their own user profile, and selecting the BCHA check box for the Transmission Provider.

Once BC Hydro is ready to enable BCHA, customers MUST purchase transmission service under the TP code of BCHA for use on December 1 onwards. BC Hydro will send a bulletin to advise. Transmission purchased for December 1 onwards under the TP code of BCTC will be denied. BC Hydro will not transfer or accommodate queue positions based on entries for December 1 onwards that are made under the TP code of BCTC after 07:00:00 PPT.

BC Hydro may not be able to perform, and may suspend, competition during the 07:00 - 09:00 time period due to the system transition.
eTag Processing

BCHA TP code will be active and reside in the WECC Registry. Both BCTC and BCHA will be active on November 30.

Customers can tag under the TP code of BCTC on November 30 for use on November 30.

From 06:30:00 - 07:00:00 PPT there will be an eTag (ETS) outage.

Prior to 09:00:00 PPT, customers MUST NOT tag for December 1 onwards. Tags cannot cross November and December. If tags do cross over from November to December, customers must terminate their tags for end of day on November 30 and get tags re-approved from 00:00:00 PPT on December 1 onwards.

BC Hydro will post a bulletin to advise once BCHA is ready for tagging. BC Hydro anticipates this time to be 09:00:00 PPT onwards, tags must be submitted to BCHA for approval for use on December 1 onwards. Tags submitted to BCTC for approval for use on December 1 onwards will be denied. BC Hydro will not transfer tags or accommodate queue positions based on entries made under BCTC after 09:00:00 PPT.

After 09:00:00 PPT, BC Hydro will curtail any confirmed or implemented tags that used the BCTC TP code that run beyond 00:00:00 PPT on December 1. Customers will have to get their tags re-approved by WECC entities from 00:00:00 PPT on December 1 onwards.
December 1

From 00:00:00 PPT to 05:00:00 PPT on December 1 there will be OASIS and eTag (ETS) outages.

During the outage period, BC Hydro interchange schedulers will rely upon adjacent Balancing Authorities for energy management.

BC Hydro interchange schedulers will perform curtailments manually, if required.
All active TSRs will be ported in OASIS from the BCTC TP code to the BCHA TP code and AREF numbers will be the same.

Any TSR or tag request during this period will be invalid; BC hydro will not process TSRs or tags. Customers will not be able to transact on OASIS or ETS until the outage is lifted and normal operations resume.

Only emergency requests from adjacent Balancing Authorities and BC hydro LSEs for energy will be accommodated.

The outage may be lifted before the scheduled end time or it may be extended if there are issues encountered during the transition. Customers will be notified through the bulletin system once the transition is complete or if an extension is required.
Customer Testing

Further to the bulletin posted on October 25, we encourage customers to continue their testing in the Sandbox until it is closed at 12:00:00 PPT (noon) on November 5. Customers can continue to submit Hourly and Daily Firm and Non-Firm TSRs with varying profiles during the Simultaneous Submission Window (SSW) with the objective of exhausting ATC and triggering subsequent pre-emption and competition.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation regarding this matter. Please contact Brenda Ambrosi if you have any questions.


BC Hydro Transmission Web Site Outage Notification

Posted on November 1, 5:50 p.m.

Please be advised that on Thursday, November 4, from 06:00:00 to 06:15:00, the BC Hydro Transmission (transmission.bchydro.com) web site will not be available due to server repairs being conducted during this time.

Please contact Brenda Ambrosi if you have any questions.


Responses to MODS Information Session # 3

Posted on October 29, 10:10 a.m.

On September 10, 2010, BC Hydro held MOD System Upgrade (MODS) Project Information Session #3 for its customers to provide an update to the MODS Project and to present new Business Practices that will be implemented with the MODS Project. BC Hydro invited customers to provide feedback subsequent to the session. Morgan Stanley sent its feedback on September 24, 2010. BC Hydro appreciates the feedback received from the customers that participated in the session as well as Morgan Stanley’s written comments and responds accordingly.


New Pre-schedule Office Numbers

Posted on October 26, 4:06 p.m.

Effective October 30, 2010, BC Hydro's Pre-schedule office numbers will change as follows:

Pre-schedule Telephone: 604 455 1926
After-the-Fact Telephone: 604 455 1927
Pre-schedule and After-the-Fact Fax: 604 455 1925


Customer Sandbox Testing #2 for MODS

Posted on October 25, 4:38 p.m.

Further to the bulletin posted September 23, 2010 at 12:57 p.m., BC Hydro is pleased to reopen Sandbox testing for Wholesale Transmission Customers (Customers) commencing at 08:00:00 PPT on October 26 and concluding at noon on November 5. Customers can continue to test the new Path Model, using the BCHA container name, as well as testing of eTag submissions and responses from MODS.

Customers must have a digital certificate to access the OASIS DEMO and ETS DEMO systems located at http://demo.oatioasis.com and http://demo.oatiets.com, respectively. Customers who do not have digital certificated should contact the OATI Help Line at 763 201 2020 to gain access to the DEMO system. In OASIS, customers will need to update their own user profile by going to User, clicking on their own user profile, and selecting the BCHA check box at the Provider in order to test the BCHA container name.

At midnight (00:00 PPT) on November 1, we request customers to participate in the Simultaneous Submission Window (SSW). Customers can refer to the Submitting a Short Term Transmission Service Request [PDF, 169 KB] and Processing of Short Term Service Requests [PDF, 191 KB] business practices, which were posted on August 17, 2010, to learn more about SSW.

At 06:00:00 PPT on November 2, we request customers to participate in Day +1 competition. Please submit TSRs for the Alberta path for November 3 with varying durations and profiles in order to initiate competition. Please do not submit 24-hour profiles blocking all ATC on that day. Our objective is to simulate a pre-emption and competition event. Customers can refer to the Processing of Short Term Transmission Service Requests [PDF, 191 KB] business practice, which was posted on August 17, 2010, to learn more about pre-emption and competition.

Please contact Brenda Ambrosi if you have any questions or encounter any issue.


Extended Windows for New Month November 2010

Posted on October 25, 2:50 p.m.

BC Hydro is pleased to visually clarify the opening of extended windows [DOC, 52 KB] for purchasing transmission for the new month on Monday, November 1, 2010.


Long Term Rollover and Competing Process

Posted on September 23, 3:37 p.m.

Subsequent to our September 9, 2010 bulletin, this is to notify that BC Hydro will resume the Long Term Rollover and Competing Process on September, 24, 2010.


Customer Sandbox Testing for MODS

Posted on September 23, 12:57 p.m.

Further to the MODS Information Session #3 held on September 10, BC Hydro is pleased to announce that Wholesale Transmission Customers (Customers) will be able to participate in Transmission Service Request testing (Sandbox) for the MODS Project, commencing at noon on September 27 and concluding at noon on October 10. Customers will be able to test the new Path Model, using the BCTC name, which BC Hydro introduced at the MODS Information Session #2 back in April. Customers will also be able to test and view responses from the new MODS system through OASIS DEMO.

Customers must have a digital certificate to access the OASIS DEMO system located at https://demo.oatioasis.com/. Customers who do not have digital certificates should contact the OATI Help Line at 763 201 2020 to gain access to the OASIS DEMO system.

Sandbox testing will reopen towards the end of October so that Customers can continue to test the new Path Model, using the BCHA container name, as well as testing of eTag submissions and responses from MODS. Another bulletin will be posted closer to this time.

Please contact Brenda Ambrosi for further information.


Notice of Regulatory Filing

Posted on September 17, 2:05 p.m.

Please be advised that on September 16, 2010, BC Hydro filed an amended OATT with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC). On July 5, 2010 pursuant to the Clean Energy Act, BC Hydro and BCTC were integrated. The amendments to the OATT are to reflect this integration and BC Hydro as the Transmission Provider. BC Hydro's filing can be found here [PDF, 10.3 MB].


Long Term Rollover and Competing Process

Posted on September 9, 5:27 p.m.

Further to our bulletin posted on September 7 at 10:10 a.m. , we wish to advise that the Long Term Rollover and Competing Process will be delayed until further notice.


Long Term Rollover and Competing Process

Posted on September 7, 10:10 a.m.

On 25 August 2010, NRPT has submitted two requests with OASIS TSRs # 74614403 and #74614407 to rollover its two existing transmission contracts of 25MW each on the BPAT-AESO path for a 5-year term. BC Hydro has evaluated all requests in the Long Term Point-to-Point queue and identifies BCPS's TSR# 71087057 that has met all criteria outline in section 16.4 of the Business Practice as the Competing Request. This Competing Request submitted on 9 November 2006 is requesting a capacity of 200MW on the BCTC-AESO path with a Start Date of 1 January 2011 for a 10-year term.

Pursuant to Business Practice Section 16, BC Hydro will initiate a Competing Process on 9 September 2010. The following outlines the steps that BC Hydro will take to execute the Competing Process.

1. BC Hydro notifies NRPT (Rollover Customer) by email on 7 September 2010 of its right of first refusal associated to Rollover Requests #74614403 and #74614407 in the Competing Process.

2. On 9 September 2010, BC Hydro will offer BCPS (Competing Request) by email a capacity of 50MW for a 10-year term with service starting 1 January 2011 on the condition that NRPT does not exercise its Right of First Refusal.


Ancillary Services

Posted on September 3, 5:12 p.m.

BC Hydro has recently received a request for ancillary services to support exports using point-to-point transmission service. Consistent with its past practice, BC Hydro will make all ancillary services available for customers who use point-to-point service for export.