Trimark & Associates
Trimark Associates, Inc. Trimark Associates, Inc.
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Realtime Operation Control Center (OCC)

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Operate with Confidence

Trimark’s Realtime Operation Control Center (OCC) provides asset owners with reliable, 24/7/365 operational control of PV, BESS, and other resources. Trimark’s OCC simplifies real-time monitoring, rapid alarm response, compliant dispatch execution, and failover capabilities without the cost or complexity of building an in-house control center.

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Trimark OCC Overview

Meet NERC’s Physical and Cyber security standards for Low Impact OCC.

Support grid stability with imperative controls and real time action.

Industry standard IT systems normalize controls and support required documentation.

Trimark’s team has the training, experience, and certifications required to meet NERC standards and practices.

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Keep Dispatches on Track

Trimark’s OCC integrates with your SCADA platform, supports operations from commissioning forward, and meets applicable NERC and grid requirements. This solution reduces risk, improves responsiveness, and ensures dispatch compliance.

Baked In Expertise

Trimark’s OCC is built on a solid foundation of proven experience, training and certification.

Trimark’s team has developed several successful OCC’s. They are now applying that knowledge to address new challenges and market opportunities.

OCC At A Glance

Real-time monitoring, control, alarm response, validation and execution of plant operations

Operations management of 
 “Low Impact” and “No Impact” PV generation and battery storage resources

Recognize, prioritize, and acknowledge alarms and actions

Perform non-automated control functions (e.g. preemptive actions to mitigate voltage excursions)

Failover option as an automation back stop (e.g. intermittent device connectivity requires manual failover intervention)

24/7/365 operations serving North America (US, Canada, Mexico)

NERC-Certified Operators

What can the OCC accomplish in 30 Seconds?

This infographic includes a timeline that explains core OCC functions, the critical alarm-response timeline, and why your resource needs an OCC right from the beginning.

30-second-timeline

Example Operator Responses

Depending on the alarm, the ISO, TOP, or market scheduler may direct the OCC Operator to:

  • Curtail resource
  • Provide manual telemetry (phone/email)
  • Conduct controlled restart if permissible
  • Manually return voltage to compliance

OCC Operator and Compliance Manager will:

  • Log deviation event and reason
  • Assemble Audit package with alarm detail, recordings, and related data
  • Open maintenance ticket (if applicable)
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OCC Performance Targets

As mandated by regulations, Trimark’s OCC is built to meet strict performance targets.

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OCC Focus

Trimark’s OCC supports a variety of renewable power resources.

Support Throughout Your Resource’s Life

Your OCC provides mission-critical support at every stage resource’s life. To maintain regulatory compliance, OCC functions must be available from the time of energy back feed thru ongoing operations, as long as the site is connected to the grid.

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Development

Planning ensures your OCC is contracted and ready for operations

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Construction

OCC supports required control and monitoring during energization

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Operations

Support grid stability and meet regulatory requirements

Core OCC Capabilities

Trimark’s OCC delivers a unified set of functions to support regulatory mandates and effective operational practices.

Function
Details

Real-Time Monitoring & Dispatch

24/7/365 asset oversight, respond to grid/operator signals

Compliance

NERC, regional and contractual standards, event logging

Alarm / Event Management

Detect/respond to trips, curtailments, remote resets

Remote Control

Start / stop, change operating modes/setpoints, regulate

Communications

ISO/RTO instructions, owner notifications, outage logs

Cyber & Physical Security

Baseline NERC-CIP controls, monitor access

Performance Optimization

Analytics, KPI reporting, and maintenance tracking

Outage Restoration

Manage safe shutdown/start-up, coordinate repairs

Documentation

Comprehensive log keeping for audits and review

Get Started 

Each resource comes with its own unique set of challenges including integration and operational requirements. Trimark will work with you to understand your specific challenges, integrate your system into our Operation Center, and perform required efforts.

Get Started Now!
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Stay Compliant with Confidence 

Trimark’s operational and regulatory compliant OCC includes a range of functions. Some, like security, are mandatory. Others can be adjusted according to your resource requirements.

  • Common NERC Standards for GOPs
    Standard
    Description

    EOP-004, EOP-005

    Event and system restoration procedures.

    IRO-001, TOP-001

    Reliability and operational responsibilities.

    CIP-003

    Cybersecurity Management Controls (low-impact measures).

    COM-002

    Communications protocols and reliability.

  • Common Alarm Priorities and Actions
    Priority
    Alarm
    Action

    Critical

    POI Voltage High-High (>1.05 pu for >30s)

    Check Voltage Control screen; confirm VVC enabled; adjust setpoint within TOP schedule; if unable, reduce Q output; coordinate with TOP immediately; log.

    Critical

    ICCP Link Down to REGIONAL ENTITY (>2 minutes)

    Check Comms screen; failover to backup link; notify REGIONAL ENTITY/QSE; provide manual telemetry (phone/email) if required; open telecom ticket; update every 30 minutes until restored.

    Critical

    BESS Fire/Gas Detection

    Place resource in safe state (stop charge/discharge); notify site O&M and emergency services per site ERP; notify QSE/TO/TOP; do not re-energize until cleared.

    High

    PV Inverter Group Trip (>X MW)

    Verify irradiance/wind; check protection trips; attempt controlled restart if permissible and no active faults; notify QSE of capacity impact.

    High

    Voltage Control Disabled Unexpectedly

    Attempt to re-enable; if not possible, switch to PF mode within TOP guidance; notify TOP; log deviation and reason.

    High

    SoC Low-Low (<10%) or High-High (>95%)

    Coordinate with QSE to adjust schedules; set SoC protection limits; if within REGIONAL ENTITY ancillary commitments, escalate for dispatch modification.

  • Real-Time Operations & Asset Monitoring 

    24/7/365 Monitoring: Supervise PV and BESS assets including generation, state-of-charge, equipment health, and weather/environmental factors.

    SCADA System Operation: Real-time visibility and control.

    Setpoints and Dispatch: Execute operational setpoints, respond to automatic generation control (AGC) dispatch, and follow directives from the ISO, TOP, and market schedulers.

  • NERC & Interconnection Compliance

    NERC Standards: Meet NERC Reliability Standards for Low-Impact Bulk Electric System cyber assets.

    Data Logging and Retention: Log events and disturbances required for audit and regulatory review.

    Reporting: Report events, outages, and anomalies to utilities, ISO, TOP, and market schedulers.

  • Alarm & Event Management

    Alarm Response: Detect and act on alarms, alerts, and critical events.

    Troubleshooting and Coordination: Initiate troubleshooting and corrective action with field technicians and developers/owners.

  • Remote Control and Command Execution

    Remote Start/Stop: Initiate, curtail, or shut down inverters or the facility.

    Mode Transfers: Switch operational modes (e.g., local/remote, grid-following vs. grid-forming for BESS).

    Setpoint Adjustments: Change real/reactive, power factor, voltage regulation, or ancillary service settings per market or grid instructions.

  • Communications Interface

    ISO/RTO Coordination: Point of contact for economic dispatch, curtailment, and grid support.

    Timely Notifications: Alert tranmission operator, market scheduler, owner, and field crews regarding operational changes, emergencies, or maintenance.

  • Cybersecurity & Physical Security Oversight

    Implement Baseline Security Controls: Enforce required cybersecurity practices for Low-Impact BCA (Bulk Electric System Cyber Assets) under NERC CIP low-impact criteria.

    Access Management: Control and monitor physical and system access.

  • Performance Optimization & Data Analysis

    Performance Monitoring: Implement owner’s resource KPIs to facilitate analysis of asset performance deviations, underperformance, or degradation.

  • Outage Coordination & Restoration 

    Planned/Unplanned Outages: Coordinate and manage scheduled and forced outages to support safe isolation and restoration.

    Restoration Support: Optimize efforts to restore service quickly and safely after incidents.

  • Reporting, Documentation, & Recordkeeping

    Operational Records: Document all control center actions, equipment changes, and communications.

    Regulatory Filings: Prepare required reports for NERC, FERC, or other authorities as applicable.

    The OCC supports NERC Regulatory Compliance for the Generator Operator (GOP) entity by collecting, reviewing, classifying, securely storing, and providing compliance-related data and information in accordance with the negotiated contract.

Expert Perspective

Why does their job matter?
Trimark team members explain.

Over the last 20 years, we’ve helped over 900 resources navigate CAISO’s NRI. With owners building more utility-scale renewable generation nationwide they’re now asking Trimark to help them comply with PPA and interconnection requirements in ERCOT, MISO, ISO New England, NYSERDA – really anywhere that complex agreements require expert advice.

Jennifer Strand

TCS Manager

I help users put Vantage to work for effective resource management. As a bridge between customers and our software team, I write documentation delivered on every system screen that explains Vantage functions such as controls and reporting. That answers most user’s questions right on the spot.

Rob Towns

Customer Success Program Manager

I develop control software that simplifies the operation of utility-scale solar power generation and energy storage. That’s key to making renewable energy stable, reliable, and viable – which is how we’ll save the world.

Brian Buhl

Principal Software Engineer

The systems we design are a small, but critical, part of power generation. We design the ‘brains’ that monitor and control each resource to be reliable and durable – in some very tough environments. I’m proud to do my part to leave a lasting benefit for society.

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Vince Brashear

Director of Engineering and Design

To avoid chaos and support grid reliability and stability, utility-scale resources must tightly manage Voltage, Frequency, NERC and LGIA requirements. Our control solution allows PV and BESS resources to safely connect to the grid, protect their expensive equipment, and bid into more market opportunities.

Stephen Yee

Director of SCADA Controls
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