The OASIS System stands for Open Access Same Time Information Systems (OASIS), once referred to as Transmission System Information Networks (TSIN). As I understand it, this is a system which connects the myriad participants in electricity transfers and facilitates transmission information and transfers. If I have this wrong, or it's too simplistic an explanation, will someone more knowledgeable, please correct me?

In the 12-18 (1998) Minutes of the NERC Regional Coordinator's Teleconference at:

ftp://ftp.nerc.com/pub/sys/all_updl/docs/y2k/12-18minutes.pdf

we can read, "A question was asked as to whether OASIS was a mission-critical system. Even though it is not mentioned in the DOE Report, it should be considered a mission-critical system."

Yet, if any readers remember accessing the link to the MAIN Region's Y2K report posted here not too long ago, you'll know that as of one month ago the Y2K status of OASIS was listed as "unknown", with MAIN stating their work is proceeding on various aspects (hardware, software) with some support efforts from vendors due in Sept. with contingency plans being discussed for OASIS if the Tradewave software cannot be ready.

http://www.maininc.org/committees/oc/725/Y2KJuly15.pdf

I have to admit this situation is puzzling to me. As skeptical as I am, I did not expect there to be any systems considered mission critical to be left out of the DOE reports and addressed outside of the NERC reporting process. Was it left out because this system is an industry interconnecting system? Like the interconnections between the States and Federal Social Security systems were not counted when declaring S.S. readiness?

-- Anonymous, August 16, 1999

Answers

Bonnie,

Correct *me* if I'm wrong, but the OASIS system sounds like it is needed for coordinating grid stability. Otherwise, why would it be mission critical? You know, the real hairpuller in this stuff is having things like this pop up during the final "countdown." Kind of like the SSA statement of Y2k ready, except, except, for the linkups with all the various state systems. Ready? Yeh, right!

-- Anonymous, August 17, 1999

This reminds me of my high school track meets, with the occasional false starts: " Runners to your marks!...Get set!" "Wait a minute, I gotta tie my shoe..."

-- Anonymous, August 17, 1999

If the "mission" is to provide an open, competitive market for electric transmission services, OASIS is mission critical.

If the "mission" is to maintain a stable and reliable electric transmission grid, OASIS is not critical. The industry did this for many years before OASIS was introduced.

-- Anonymous, August 17, 1999

Dear Dave,

Could you please be more specific (in layman's terms please ;)) - what does OASIS do, if not what Bonnie described it as doing?

Terri

-- Anonymous, August 17, 1999

From TSIN's home page:

Welcome to TSIN.COM, the web site devoted to the ongoing development 
and implementation of Open Access Same Time Information Systems 
(OASIS), once referred to as Transmission System Information Networks 
(TSIN), for the electric power industry. This site contains 
information about OASIS, the latest reports and papers for 
downloading, and a forum for the open discussion of OASIS issues. We 
maintain links to all OASIS Nodes and provide for the registration of 
Transmission Providers and Transmission Customers as required by 
FERC. 

Take a look at the site for some more information.

-- Anonymous, August 17, 1999

Terri, the only description I could find of what OASIS is, is at:

ftp://ftp.nerc.com/pub/sys/all_updl/cpwg/phase1-a.pdf

This is from the Background paragraph:

"The Open access Same-time Information System (OASIS) is an information network developed by the electric industry in response to FERC policy on transmission access. OASIS is intended to provide information and processes necessary for non-discriminatory access to electric transmission systems. The present version of OASIS supports the posting of available transfer capabilities, as well as the offering of transmission and ancillary services with their associated prices and terms. OASIS allows users to reserve capacity on the transmission system, purchase ancillary services, and resell transmission services to others."

I'm looking for a better description of exactly what OASIS is and does. In the meantime, as I mentioned in my original post, I would also appreciate any further clarification from Dave or input from anyone who uses OASIS. If I understand the concept of Dave's first post, then the system is critical from a cost-benefit standpoint for utilities, but not critical to transmission transfers themselves? Is that correct, Dave? Can any utility buy and/or sell electricity from others now without using the OASIS system?

-- Anonymous, August 17, 1999

I'm kind of hoping that Jim Lynes will jump on this thread. When I toured the Ops center at Reedy Creek with Jim, we talked about OASIS a little bit. If I recall correctly, Reedy Creek has an OASIS terminal right in the Ops center, and Jim seemed pretty knowledgable about the system.

Basically, as I understand it, it's kind of a "blind trading system" - by that I mean, the folks buying and selling power use OASIS in an insulated environment where they don't know who they're buying from or selling to, and vice versa. It's supposed to level the playing field for power marketers - hence, the "Open Access" in the acronym OASIS.

But I could be wrong. This one is kind of out in left field for me, too...

-- Anonymous, August 17, 1999

Which I think won't matter much since short term trading will be halted anyway.

PS-How long do we think Koskinem will be running the grid? ;>

-- Anonymous, August 17, 1999

I neglected to mention that I too noticed in the MAIN docs that Bonnie posted that the OASIS Y2K status was "unknown", I thought that was rather humorous, since we (and all utilities)weren't allowed that option in reporting to NEI and NERC, lol... Regards,

-- Anonymous, August 17, 1999

Is OASIS a system? It is a concept for creating a market of energy buyers, sellers and transporters. OASIS is a next hour concept where deals are made this hour for power to be delivererd in the next hour to a specific delivery point. Offers to buy or sell at certain prices can be posted to the system and matches between companies can be made. Transmission capacity can also be reserved for the delivery by the Transco of energy from the Genco to the Disco. Is OASIS a product? OASIS was implemented by software vendors(such as ESCA with their AIMS product) in response to bid requests from NERC Regions and ISOs. The specifications were developed by a FERC working group. OASIS nodes have been delivered by several vendors to date. Is OASIS mission critical? It depends. In regions that are already fully deregulated it is more critical than is areas that aren't. What if OASIS has a problem? The brokers pick up the phone and cut their deals verbally like they have done for years. Maybe you don't get the very best price that was out there next hour. Or you can't sell your excess production and you have to operate a plant at less than optimum level. Is OASIS Y2K compliant? Depends on the vendor that provided the node. A piece of the system we use is based on MS Access 2.0 which has a few issues mostly involving searches that start in 1999 and cross over into 2000.

Hope this helps a little. Also search for articles on the Cal PX to see how an OASIS works in a deregulated market.

Jim

-- Anonymous, August 22, 1999