One of the issues with system reliability with regards to Y2K is the integrety of the the communications system. Here in New Zealand most power stations, substations and control centers have the ability to communicate both voice and data via PLCs (Power Line Carriers) as a backup to telecom. Does USA also have this ability?

We have also tested other forms of communication, (eg. radio, satelite coms, etc) and feel quite sure that we have sufficient backup means of communications should the normal voice and data links fail.

I believe USA has also run a similar industry wide test, and is planning another such exercise in the near future. Have any problems ben encountered so far, and are there any others expected?

Thanks

Malcolm

-- Anonymous, July 09, 1999

Answers

Malcolm, I was just catching up on some reading after being away for a couple of weeks, and some of that concerned NERC's communication plans for their control operators and control centers. First, to read all about the April industry drill and the lessons learned, go to:

http://www.nerc.com/y2k/drills.html

The April 9th Drill Summary Report and the Alaska attachment 2 are there. You'll need an Adobe Acrobat reader for access. The "lessons learned" info starts on page 6 of 35 pages for the first and there is also a "summary of areas for improvement" on the short Alaska paper. Since I don't know how much .pdf files are used in New Zealand, if you don't have Adobe there's a link to a free download at http://www.nerc.com/y2k

Most of the "lessons learned" involve issues where more personnel training in various communication procedures was needed. Such things as phone lists not being updated or personnel in remote locations not having needed watches and calculators were discovered, too. (Sometimes it's the simplest things that are overlooked.) Also, some of the metered data in the field did not match the control center data and both calibration and additional tranining in conversion procedures was determined to be needed. It is also mentioned that training in the use of satellite communications is needed because there is a time delay and they do not work like regular phones. More details about various aspects of the drill are in the summary.

Next, the agenda for the upcoming July 13-14 NERC Security Committee Meeting is online at:

ftp://ftp.nerc.com/pub/sys/all_updl/docs/oc/sc-9907a.pdf

This has a section which deals with "The Security Coordinators Communication Plan for the Year 2000 Transition". This gives report criteria and templates for communicating both technical and operating information over the rollover. It also defines four system condition levels from "green" through "red", along with a lot more info. This section is almost at the end of the document and begins on page 269 through page 282. There is also NERC Hotline procedures and backup satellite prodecures, plus other communication info.

Finally, in an Operating Committee Meeting report at:

ftp://ftp.nerc.com/pub/sys/all_updl/docs/oc/oc-9903m.pdf

there is price info on page 42 about the backup satellite voice systems mentioned in the Security Coordinators Plan above. ($4200 per unit, $115 per month, $28,000 for dedicated channel)

If you, or any other readers are interested, on page 283 of that Security Coordinators Plan document, it addresses the "Critical Infrastructure Protection/Electric Power Sector" which has to do with cyberterrorism attacks.

I hope some of this info will help answer your questions, and thank you for the input and answers you have given to other questions!

-- Anonymous, July 10, 1999

Malcolm,

PLC is used more in the East part of the US then in the West. Partly this is because its an older system. PLC is used for voice, data, and tripping. The East tends to use blocking schemes, which PLC lends itself to and the West direct tripping schemes, which it doesnt. PLC has also been complimented and in some places superseded by microwave and fiber optics. Microwave is used more in the West but is making a resurgence in the East because of the new bands being made available. Some PLC bands were given up for cell phones and other uses.

Many utilities have their own internal phone systems as well as using Bell lines. Cell and sometimes Satellite phones are being used mostly for voice back up.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 1999

Bonnie and Engineer,

Many thanks to both of you for this information. It does confirm what I have suspected that in many places there are reliable back-up communication systems that are still of the older analogue type, (read as non Y2K susceptible).

PLCs are still very common here in NZ, but are now really only used for protection. But the voice capability is still there as a backup to our other comms systems, and it appears that at least some parts of USA still have this facility as well.

Regards

Malcolm

-- Anonymous, July 13, 1999