How long does TOP/RC/BA have to report communication capability failure?

The requirement for the Transmission Operator (TOP), Reliability Coordinator (RC), and Balancing Authority (BA) to report a communication capability failure is set at one hour. This timeframe is established to ensure that the operators maintain an effective level of situational awareness and can coordinate the necessary responses within a reasonable time frame.

Reporting within this period is critical for maintaining reliability in the electric power system, as communication is essential for real-time decision-making and coordination among different entities. A failure to communicate could lead to significant operational issues or even widespread system impacts, which is why this one-hour threshold is mandated. It provides sufficient time for the entities to assess the communication failure and ensure that necessary notifications and contingency measures are in place to mitigate any potential risks to system reliability.