Emergency Preparedness and System Restoration Workshops

The IESO conducts large-scale integrated emergency exercises to build on Ontario's emergency preparedness. These exercises also help market participants meet their obligations to test their emergency plans. The IESO also offers power system restoration workshops across Ontario.

2020 Workshops

Each year, the IESO hosts hands-on workshops in different areas of Ontario designed for transmitters, generators, distribution companies and connected wholesale customers’ participation. Each workshop features a review of the bulk electricity system, its operation, as well as the roles of the IESO and restoration participants in maintaining system reliability during normal and abnormal conditions and when restoring the power system following large-scale blackouts. Specific interactive table-top exercises are used.

As a result of COVID-19, a number of in-person workshops scheduled for 2020 have been cancelled. In lieu of these, the IESO is hosting 2 interactive webinar exercises in 2020. These exercises will target the same objectives of the in-person workshops, and provide restoration participants with a review of the Ontario Power System Restoration Plan (OPSRP) and the roles of the IESO and restoration participants in maintaining system reliability during normal conditions, abnormal conditions and when restoring the power system following large-scale blackouts. Restoration participants can register for the webinars via the links below:

Registration for the June 22^nd webinar: https://www.meetview.com/ieso20200622/

Registration for the September 10^th webinar: https://www.meetview.com/ieso20200910/

Workshop Objectives

The workshops are targeted to real-time operations staff including new and seasoned operators, supervisors, emergency planning and management staff. The purpose is to provide a focused refresher on reliability preparedness and response. This is an IESO-facilitated workshop at which participants are immersed into the Ontario Power System Restoration Plan (OPSRP), among other system operating procedures.

Typical Topics

Effective communication
Operational issues
Operating procedures
Ontario Power System Restoration Plan
Objectives
Strategy
Priorities
Tabletop drills and exercises

In 2019, approximately 365 system operators from 40 different companies, from all market participant classes, attended restoration workshops.

Workshop Format

Following a brief subject matter presentation, using the OPSRP, groups interactively discuss and communicate their role during system restoration. The IESO will also present scenarios, following which participants describe the impact on their facility or operation, how they would respond and who they would coordinate with. IESO staff, including system operators, will facilitate the conversations. The workshops include time for informal discussions and participant networking.