Generator Survey System Project (GSS)

Last Update: 07/15/2021

The Generation Survey System (GSS) Project affects lead market participants and designated entities with generator assets. ISO New England participants impacted by this project can learn more about actions they need to take and upcoming changes to existing systems or procedures below. GSS is one of several projects that ISO New England has undertaken, in collaboration with stakeholders, for the continued development of the region’s wholesale electricity markets. Target dates indicated below are subject to change.

Refer to the Participant Readiness Project Outlook for more detail on specifically affected customers and systems for this and other major projects. Below, affected ISO New England customers can learn more about actions they need to take and changes to existing systems or procedures related to

• Project Overview
• Required Participant Actions
• Participant Training Opportunities
• Technical Documentation, Rules, and Procedures

Project Overview

ISO New England periodically surveys lead market participants and designated entities with generator assets in order to monitor fuel levels, replenishment plans, and environmental limitations on resources within New England. ISO New England also uses the data collected to prepare emergency energy forecasts, which it uses to identify and communicate potential reliability issues to regional stakeholders. The frequency of these surveys varies from every other week during non-winter months to more than once per day during abnormal conditions, which may require modifications of the survey in order to obtain condition-specific data.

The GSS project will streamline the survey data collection process eliminating the manual processes currently associated with survey distribution, data entry, collection, and notifications. The project is expected to increase data collection accuracy by enabling participants and customers to submit survey entries directly to ISO New England through the existing Ask ISO system, providing these benefits:

• Familiarity – Ask ISO is an existing system, familiar to ISO New England personnel and participants.
• Authentication – application role assignment is required in the Customer and Asset Management System (CAMS) to gain access to surveys.
• Extensible – Ask ISO can be modified to add new survey functionality as needed.
• Communication – the survey system supports both manual and automated notifications and reminders.
• Accessible – analysts will have better tools to query response data for reporting and analysis.

Required Participant Actions

Affected market participants should be mindful of the following time-bound items, some of which may require customers to take specific steps or adapt to changes in ISO New England’s systems. Please consider subscribing to Participant Readiness, Market Notices, Information Technology (IT) Notices, and MIS Report Issues to receive notices posted to the calendar for future projects.

Participant Training Opportunities

ISO New England may conduct online or classroom-based training and information sessions and other opportunities for affected customers to learn about changes and ask questions in advance of project implementation. Please consider subscribing to ISO Training to receive notices posted to the calendar for this project.

Technical Documentation, Rules, and Procedures

Market participants affected by the project should consult the following documents for specific instructions on completing related tasks or processes and helpful answers to frequently asked questions.

Technical Specifications and Documentation

Rules and Procedures