Which NERC standard requires contingency plans for loss of system elements?

The standard that requires contingency plans for the loss of system elements is TPL-001. This standard is part of the Reliability Standards maintained by NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) and focuses on the transmission planning processes in terms of reliability assessment.

TPL-001 specifically addresses how transmission planners must evaluate and mitigate the risks associated with potential failures or outages of transmission elements that could impact the reliability of the interconnected power system. This includes the requirement for contingency plans to be developed and implemented to ensure that even in the event of a loss of elements, the system can maintain reliability and stability.

The standard emphasizes the importance of preparing for various scenarios, which helps in avoiding cascading failures in the electrical grid that could arise from unexpected outages. This preparedness fosters a resilient and reliable transmission network, which is essential for maintaining the balance between electricity supply and demand.

In contrast, the other standards mentioned focus on different aspects of power system operations and reliability. For instance, IEC-61131 pertains to programmable logic controllers, and is not related to transmission planning. PER-001 relates to personnel training and qualifications, while BAL-003 deals with frequency response and reserves but does not specifically address contingency planning for loss of system elements. Therefore, TPL-001 stands out as the