Expert analysis for a more reliable, secure and resilient electric grid, plus news and updates for RF stakeholders.

Insights & Analysis

ReliabilityFirst 2024-2025 Winter Reliability Assessment

The upcoming winter season projects to bring with it a low risk to reliability in the PJM and MISO footprints under a more typical electric demand forecast, but reliability could be challenged in certain more extreme scenarios, according to ReliabilityFirst (RF) analysis.  

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Enforcement Explained: 2024 Year in Review—Trends and Outreach

This edition of Enforcement Explained discusses a few trends in 2024 violation intake and processing and highlights important outreach from RF Enforcement staff throughout the year.

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The Lighthouse: CIP low impact from the ground up – Part 4, Identifying your CIP Senior Manager

This is the fourth in a series of articles in which RF’s Lew Folkerth will explore the NERC CIP Standards applicable to low impact Bulk Electric System Cyber Systems. In this article, Lew discusses the designation of a management official to be responsible for an entity’s cyber security program.

Mendota Lighthouse in Mohawk, Michigan (Photo: Lew Folkerth)

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How Root Cause Analysis can help address reliability issues (and beyond) at their source

Whether you’re dealing with a missed cyber security patch, a breaker tripping offline, or even an issue within your own home, determining the source of an issue through a root cause analysis is a simple methodology that can provide some great benefits, including improving electric grid reliability.

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Regulatory Affairs: Grid reliability news we’re tracking

The latest regulatory headlines we’re tracking include:

• FERC issues Order 1920-A on electric regional transmission planning and cost allocation
• FERC holds technical conference on co-location of large loads at generating facilities
• U.S. sets new nuclear targets at COP29 U.N. climate summit

Click here to read more

News & Updates

ERO Enterprise hosts IBR Registration Initiative webinar, launches resources for new registrants

The ERO Enterprise hosted an informational webinar on the Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Registration Initiative on Nov. 13. This initiative addresses the identification and registration of owners and operators of IBRs that are connected to the bulk power system, but are not currently required to register with NERC or adhere to its Reliability Standards. To watch a recording of the webinar click here, and find the presentation slides posted here.

NERC also released a suite of IBR resources for new registrants on Nov. 12, including an IBRs 101 guide, an open letter to new registrants and an overview video on the initiative.

Find more information on the IBR Registration Initiative on the RF website here.

NERC files Interregional Transfer Capability Study with FERC

NERC filed the complete Interregional Transfer Capability Study (ITCS) with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Nov. 18, in advance of the Dec. 2 deadline, after 18 months of extensive outreach and collaboration.

The study provides a calculation of current transfer capabilities, an energy margin analysis for 23 Transmission Planning Regions, and recommendations for increases to transfer capability between regions that would strengthen energy adequacy during extreme weather events. It also recommends approaches to meet and maintain transfer capability that would be prudent for reliability. The filing will be followed by a FERC public comment period.

Key findings from the report include:

1. Energy deficiencies were identified in all 12 weather years studied.
2. Import capability needed during extreme conditions varied significantly across the country—there was no one-size-fits-all answer.
3. An additional 35 gigawatts of transfer capability across the United States was identified as being beneficial for reliability.
4. There are numerous barriers to realizing the benefits of interregional transmission in a timely manner.
5. Some identified transmission needs could be alleviated by projects already in the planning, permitting, or construction phases.
6. Higher than expected retirements (without replacement capacity) would lead to increased energy deficiencies and potentially more transfer capability needed than recommended in this study.
7. Transmission upgrades alone may not fully address all risks, and a broader set of solutions should be considered, balancing the opportunity for local resources, demand-side management, and storage solutions.

For more information, see NERC’s ITCS Project page.

Upcoming Events

Dec. 16, 2-3:30 p.m. EST | Technical Talk with RF

Join us on Monday, Dec. 16, for our last Tech Talk of 2024! Here’s what’s on the agenda:

RF Winter Reliability Assessment projections 

Tim Fryfogle, Principal Engineer – Resources, Engineering & System Performance, RF

• Tim will provide an overview of RF’s 2024-2025 Winter Reliability Assessment.

Enforcement 2024 Year in Review 

Elizabeth Emanuel Arora, Counsel, Legal & Enforcement, RF

• Elizabeth will look back at RF’s enforcement actions from 2024 and highlight key takeaways.

Event details

Jan. 13, 2-3:30 p.m. EST | Technical Talk with RF

Join us on Monday, Jan. 13, for our first Tech Talk of 2025! Here’s what’s on the agenda:

NERC Distributed Energy Resources Aggregator Report overview 

John Paul “JP” Skeath, Senior Engineer, Engineering & Security Integration, NERC

• JP will discuss the highlights from NERC’s new Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Aggregator report.

RF Long-term Reliability Assessment projections 

Tim Fryfogle, Principal Engineer – Resources, Engineering & System Performance, RF

• Tim will discuss the analysis and projections in RF’s latest Long-term Reliability Assessment.

Event details

March 4, 2025 | ERO Enterprise Women’s Leadership Conference

Save the date for the 2025 ERO Enterprise Women’s Leadership Conference, hosted by Midwest Reliability Organization. Please join us as we celebrate women across the ERO Enterprise and from the energy and other critical infrastructure sectors.

The event will be moderated by MRO Board Chair Dr. Dana Born – a retired USAF Brigadier General and lecturer in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Keynote remarks will be provided by: Dr. Jennifer Hesterman, retired USAF Colonel and award-winning author; Dr. Rosie Ward, Ph.D., workplace wellness expert and award-winning author; and MRO’s president and CEO Sara Patrick.

Event details

To explore our full calendar of upcoming events, click here.

The post First Things RFirst: December 2024 appeared first on ReliabilityFirst.

Recent regulatory headlines we’re tracking include:

FERC issues Order 1920-A on electric regional transmission planning and cost allocation

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved Order 1920-A, which upholds most of the provisions of landmark Order 1920 on electric regional transmission planning and cost allocation, on Nov. 21. However, Order 1920-A increases the role of the states in the process, as it now requires transmission providers to file any state agreed-upon cost allocation method or process in their region for FERC to consider along with their proposals, and consult with the states in their region if they want to change a cost-allocation agreement after it has gone into effect. The original Order 1920 allowed states six months to agree on a cost-allocation method for transmission projects, but transmission planners could choose not to file the state cost allocation method or process. A summary of the major changes incorporated in Order 1920-A is included in an appendix to the order (p. 814 of the document). 

FERC holds technical conference on co-location of large loads at generating facilities 

FERC held its technical conference on co-location of large loads at generating facilities on Oct. 25. The FERC commissioners opened the conference, and Chairman Willie Phillips noted that FERC “can and should” play a leadership role in this area. Commissioner Judy Chang stated that FERC needs to clarify existing rules or create new rules that address these new types of loads. There was concern among the commissioners about the impact of data center load and co-location on reliability and resource adequacy, but also an acknowledgment that data centers are important for the country and for national security. 

Panel 1 included more general remarks on the issues surrounding co-located loads. Both PJM and AEP discussed how they are receiving large and growing load forecasts from data centers, and that many data centers are interested in co-location. Howard Gugel, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) vice president of regulatory oversight, stressed the importance of focusing on the characteristics of data center load, and creating high quality load models. A representative from the Data Center Coalition discussed how data centers support “just and fair” cost allocation and are willing to pay their fair share for their demand on the system. 

Panel 2 included the PJM Independent Market Monitor and representatives from Google, Dominion, Talen, Exelon, and Constellation. There was discussion of essential reliability services and how entities that benefit from these services should help pay for them. Panel 3 was a roundtable with state representatives, all from areas in the RF footprint (Maryland, District of Columbia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Indiana). Multiple state representatives on this panel expressed concerns about a lack of transparency regarding co-location arrangements, and that it is also helpful for them to know what co-location arrangements are occurring in other states that could affect them.  A recording of the technical conference is available to view here. 

U.S. sets new nuclear targets at COP29 U.N. climate summit 

The White House and the Department of Energy shared that the U.S. set new targets at the recent COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference to deploy 35 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2035 and 200 GW of new nuclear energy capacity by 2050. The U.S. also set a goal to reach a sustained pace of 15 GW of new nuclear energy per year by 2040. The White House released a framework with these targets and a plan for action, including:  

1. Building new large, gigawatt-scale reactors  
2. Building small modular reactors (SMRs) 
3. Building microreactors (compact nuclear reactors that typically produce 1-20 MW of thermal energy) 
4. Extending and expanding existing reactors through license renewals, power uprates, and restarting recently retired reactors 
5. Improving and speeding up NRC licensing and permitting processes 
6. Developing the nuclear power workforce 
7. Developing component supply chains for the various components needed in a nuclear reactor 
8. Developing fuel cycle supply chains 
9. Managing spent nuclear fuel 

Additional information on the nine components of the plan is set forth in the framework document. It is not yet clear what effect the upcoming change in U.S. presidential administration will have on these targets.  

The post Regulatory Affairs news highlights: December 2024 appeared first on ReliabilityFirst.

Expert analysis for a more reliable, secure and resilient electric grid, plus news and updates for RF stakeholders.

Insights & Analysis

The Lighthouse: CIP low impact from the ground up – Part 3, Overview of compliance steps

This is the third in a series of articles in which RF’s Lew Folkerth will explore the NERC CIP Standards applicable to low impact Bulk Electric System Cyber Systems. In this article, Lew outlines the steps needed to begin your CIP compliance program at the low impact level.

Aurora over Old Mackinac Point Light, Mackinaw City, Michigan (Photo: Lew Folkerth)

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Internal Controls 101 training series

This five-video training series created by ReliabilityFirst focuses on internal controls basics for entity compliance personnel as well as industry subject matter experts (SMEs).

At the completion of this course, the audience will be familiar with common internal controls terminology, have a rudimentary understanding of the GAO Green Book internal controls framework and its application to the industry, understand how internal controls apply to the Compliance Oversight Plan (COP), and be introduced to creating strong risk assessment programs.

Click here to read more

Regulatory Affairs: Grid reliability news we’re tracking

The latest regulatory headlines we’re tracking include:

• U.S. Senate Energy Committee holds hearing on fusion energy
• FERC hosts annual Reliability Technical Conference

Click here to read more

News & Updates

NERC publishes Parts 2 and 3 of Interregional Transfer Capability Study

On Nov. 4, NERC published Prudent Additions Recommendations (Part 2) and Meet and Maintain Recommendations (Part 3), the third in a series of three draft documents that will be merged into the final Interregional Transfer Capability Study (ITCS), which is being produced in response to the congressional directive in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

The document provides an energy margin analysis and resulting recommendations for increases to the transfer capability between Transmission Planning Regions to improve energy adequacy during extreme weather events. It also recommends how to meet and maintain transfer capability as enhanced by these technically prudent additions.

The complete ITCS will be filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) by Dec. 2, 2024, and will be followed by a FERC public comment period. A fourth document, a study of transfer capabilities and recommendations for prudent additions from the United States to Canada and between Canadian provinces, will be published in the first quarter of 2025.

For more information, see NERC’s ITCS Project page.

Upcoming Events

Nov. 13, 3 – 5 p.m. EST | Inverter-Based Resource Registration Initiative ERO Enterprise Webinar

On Nov. 13, the ERO Enterprise will host an informational webinar on the Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Registration Initiative, which addresses the identification and registration of owners and operators of IBRs that are connected to the bulk power system, but are not currently required to register with NERC or adhere to its Reliability Standards.

To mitigate this reliability concern, NERC seeks to register Generator Owners (GO) and Generator Operators (GOP) of non-Bulk Electric System IBRs with aggregate nameplate capacity ≥20 MVA connected at a voltage ≥60 kV.

This informational webinar is designed for Category 2 GO and GOPs, and will feature presentations from NERC, the Electricity Information Sharing Analysis Center (E‑ISAC), and Regional Entity staff focused on various topics and activities underway.

Event details

Nov. 18, 2-3:30 p.m. | Technical Talk with RF

Join us on Monday, Nov. 18 for our second-to-last Tech Talk of 2024! Here’s what’s on the agenda:

Physical security program best practices and lessons learned 

Mike Melvin, Director, Corporate Physical Security, Exelon

• Mike will discuss the physical security complexities and challenges Exelon faced at its Kennett Square facility before the organization ultimately found success with its program there.

Certifications update 

Sam Ciccone, Principal Reliability Consultant, Entity Engagement, RF

• Sam will review the process for certifications and provide an update on FERC Order 881 as it relates to certification reviews.

Event details

March 4, 2025 | ERO Enterprise Women’s Leadership Conference

Save the date for the 2025 ERO Enterprise Women’s Leadership Conference, hosted by Midwest Reliability Organization. Please join us as we celebrate women across the ERO Enterprise and from the energy and other critical infrastructure sectors.

The event will be moderated by MRO Board Chair Dr. Dana Born – a retired USAF Brigadier General and lecturer in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Keynote remarks will be provided by: Dr. Jennifer Hesterman, retired USAF Colonel and award-winning author; Dr. Rosie Ward, Ph.D., workplace wellness expert and award-winning author; and MRO’s president and CEO Sara Patrick. Registration will open in November.

Event details

To explore our full calendar of upcoming events, click here.

The post First Things RFirst: November 2024 appeared first on ReliabilityFirst.

Recent regulatory headlines we’re tracking include:

U.S. Senate Energy Committee holds hearing on fusion energy

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on fusion energy technology development and commercialization efforts on Sept. 19. Sen. Joe Manchin, an Independent from West Virginia, opened the hearing and said that the U.S. is in a “global race” to develop fusion energy, and that it would be a “game changer” because it would be dispatchable power that is carbon free. However, he noted that fusion energy is not yet available at commercial scale, and China is working to develop this power (and the accompanying supply chain) as well.

The witnesses at the hearing included:

• Jean Paul Allain, associate director of the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences at the Department of Energy (DOE). Allain discussed the DOE’s progress and goals related to fusion energy development, and strategic partnerships with the private sector and with the United Kingdom and Japan.
• Jackie Siebens, director of public affairs at Helion Energy and non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center, discussed how fusion power plants will need quick interconnection to the grid and that the interconnection permitting process should be streamlined. She also discussed the importance of building a resilient supply chain and stated that “fusion is ideally suited for collocated generation, where its firm, reliable power can be directly supplied to large energy consumers.”
• Patrick White, research director at the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, discussed the latest experimental fusion developments and the stages involved from scientific demonstration to commercial deployment. He noted that private companies are now playing a large role in fusion energy research and development.

The archived webcast of the hearing is available here.

FERC hosts annual Reliability Technical Conference

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) held its annual 2024 Reliability Technical Conference on Oct. 16. The FERC Commissioners provided opening remarks, and FERC Chair Willie Phillips stressed that reliability is “job one” and noted key reliability challenges including extreme weather, the changing resource mix, and increased electricity demand. Commissioner Mark Christie stated that the U.S. is heading toward a “reliability crisis” due to “an unsustainable loss of dispatchable resources, an inability to build and bring online equivalent resources, and a huge increase in demand.”

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) President & CEO Jim Robb then provided remarks, noting that the trend lines for supply and demand are “moving in the wrong direction to sustain reliability.” He discussed risks associated with extreme weather, inverter-based resources, and the reliance on natural gas. In addition to discussing emerging risks, Robb highlighted that there is strong overall grid reliability, with a decline in equipment failures and the severity and duration of outages.

Robb then discussed the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) Enterprise’s efforts to streamline the standards development process, modernize reliability assessments, and conduct outreach with policymakers on key reliability risks. He also advocated for a more risk-based oversight approach for low-risk Reliability Standard violations, and a more flexible approach to compliance monitoring and enforcement during the early stages of enforcement for “complex and novel” Reliability Standards.

Panel one of the conference, “Managing Reliability Risks and Challenges,” focused on the current state of reliability. During the panel, there was discussion on how markets can provide adequate cost recovery for reliability measures and how to keep conventional generation resources cost-effective so they can keep running. During Panel two, “Resource Adequacy and Expected Load Growth,” the speakers discussed rapid data center growth and the importance of collaboration between FERC, the ERO, and state policymakers on resource adequacy issues. An archived webcast of the conference is available here.

The post Regulatory Affairs news highlights: November 2024 appeared first on ReliabilityFirst.

Honoring Patrick “Pat” Alan Cass

April 5, 1951 – Oct. 31, 2024

It is with deep respect and gratitude that we honor the memory of Patrick “Pat” Alan Cass, a dedicated and long-serving board member of ReliabilityFirst. Pat’s commitment to our organization and his invaluable contributions as the chair of the Finance and Audit Committee since 2014 have left an indelible mark on our community.

Pat’s professional journey was marked by excellence and leadership. After earning his BSBA in accounting from Bowling Green State University, he embarked on a distinguished career at Arthur Andersen LLP, where he became a partner and served in various offices across the country. His expertise and leadership continued at Ernst & Young LLP, where he managed the Louisville office and served as a regional energy industry leader until his retirement in 2009.

Beyond his professional achievements, Pat was deeply involved in civic and professional organizations, contributing his time and expertise to numerous boards, including Louisville United Way, Greater Louisville Inc., Leadership Louisville, and Louisville Fund for the Arts.

Pat’s passion for life extended to his many hobbies, including genealogy, piloting, sailing, and wine appreciation. His love for family and friends was evident in all he did, and he leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humor, and dedication.

Pat’s presence will be greatly missed, but his contributions and spirit will continue to inspire us.

The post ReliabilityFirst mourns the loss of Board Member Patrick Cass appeared first on ReliabilityFirst.

ERO Enterprise to host Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Registration Initiative webinar on Nov. 13

On Nov. 13 from 3-5 p.m. Eastern Time, the ERO Enterprise will host an informational webinar on the Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Registration Initiative, which addresses the identification and registration of owners and operators of IBRs that are connected to the bulk power system, but are not currently required to register with NERC or adhere to its Reliability Standards.

To mitigate this reliability concern, NERC seeks to register Generator Owners (GO) and Generator Operators (GOP) of non-Bulk Electric System IBRs with aggregate nameplate capacity ≥20 MVA connected at a voltage ≥60 kV.

This informational webinar is is designed for Category 2 GO and GOPs and will feature presentations from NERC, the Electricity Information Sharing Analysis Center (E‑ISAC), and Regional Entity staff focused on various topics and activities underway, including:

• Milestones and Work Plan
• Registration Criteria Revisions: New Category 2 GO and GOP
• NERC Standards and Compliance Expectations
• ERO Identification/Registration Process for Category 2 GO and GOPs
• Communications Resources

The webinar will include panelist presentations followed by a question-and-answer session.

Click here to register

The post ERO Enterprise to host Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Registration Initiative webinar on Nov. 13 appeared first on ReliabilityFirst.

Recent regulatory headlines we’re tracking include:

FERC holds workshop to discuss generation interconnection

On Sept. 10 and 11, FERC held a workshop to discuss innovations and efficiencies in generator interconnection processes. FERC Chair Willie Phillips opened the workshop with comments on the importance of generator interconnection reform, noting that there is 2,000 GW of generation waiting in the queue with an average wait time of five years. Chair Phillips noted that the issuance of Order 2023 was “just the first stop,” and that there is much more to be done. Day one of the workshop focused on innovations, and panelists discussed the importance of an expanded and proactive transmission planning process, especially given the increasing energy demand resulting from data centers, electrification, and electric vehicles. There was also discussion of an “expedited reliability queue” for projects that are ready to proceed (“shovel-ready”), which could run alongside the existing queue.

Day two of the workshop discussed efficiencies, and a major theme from the discussions was the importance of transparency and additional data sharing from all parties, to more quickly and accurately advance projects that are ready in the queue. There was also discussion of automating certain aspects of system impact studies through software, which could speed up the study process. Throughout the workshop, RTOs (including SPP, MISO, New York ISO, California ISO, and PJM) shared their approaches to and latest developments in the generation interconnection process. A recorded webcast from day one of the workshop is available here, and the recording from day two is available here. FERC is also inviting the filing of public comments (by Oct. 15) on the topics and questions presented during the workshop in FERC Docket No. AD24-9-000.

FERC issues NOPR for new internal network security monitoring reliability standard

On Sept. 19, FERC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) proposing to approve a new CIP standard submitted by NERC, CIP-015-1, which establishes requirements for internal network security monitoring (INSM) for network traffic inside an electronic security perimeter. These requirements would apply to all high-impact Bulk Electric System (BES) Cyber Systems and all medium-impact BES Cyber Systems with external routable connectivity. FERC explains in the NOPR that INSM provides visibility into communications between networked devices within a trust zone and can detect malicious activity that has circumvented perimeter control. The use of INSM increases the likelihood of earlier detection, mitigation, and recovery from a cyber attack.

The NOPR also proposes to direct NERC to develop modifications to CIP-015-1 within one year, to extend INSM to include electronic access control or monitoring systems (EACMS) and physical access control systems (PACS) outside of the electronic security perimeter. FERC states that this modification is needed because attacks could compromise the EACMS or PACS and then infiltrate the perimeter as a trusted communication. The NOPR provides for a 60-day public comment period from interested parties.

FERC issues NOPR on supply chain risk management standards

FERC also issued a NOPR this month that proposed to direct NERC to create new or modified Reliability Standards within one year to address gaps in the existing CIP Standards related to supply chain risk management (SCRM). FERC states that while the existing SCRM standards provide a baseline for supply chain threats, these threats are increasing and there are gaps related to 1) the sufficiency of responsible entities’ SCRM plans related to the identification of, assessment of, and response to supply chain risks and 2) applicability of SCRM standards to protected cyber assets (PCA). Specifically, the NOPR proposes to direct NERC to:

• Establish a maximum time frame between when an entity performs its initial risk assessment during the procurement process and when it installs the equipment.
• Establish periodic requirements for an entity to reassess the risk associated with vendors, products, and services procured under contracts for any supply chain risks that may have developed since the contract began.
• Require an entity to establish steps in its SCRM plan to validate the completeness/accuracy of information received from vendors during the procurement process (to better inform the identification and assessment of supply chain risks).
• Require that entities establish a process to document, track, and respond to all identified supply chain risks.

Regarding the applicability of the SCRM standards to PCAs (ancillary equipment that resides behind a responsible entity’s electronic access point within BES Cyber Systems), the NOPR proposes to direct NERC to modify the SCRM standards to include PCAs as applicable assets. The NOPR also proposes to direct NERC to protect PCAs from supply chain risk at the same level as other assets inside an electronic security perimeter. The NOPR provides for a 60-day public comment period from interested parties.

The post Regulatory Affairs news highlights: October 2024 appeared first on ReliabilityFirst.

Expert analysis for a more reliable, secure and resilient electric grid, plus news and updates for RF stakeholders.

Insights & Analysis

The Lighthouse: CIP low impact from the ground up – Part 2, Initial compliance steps

This is the second in a series of articles in which RF’s Lew Folkerth will explore the NERC CIP Standards applicable to low impact Bulk Electric System Cyber Systems. In this article, Lew provides an introduction to the CIP Standards applicable to low impact and an overview of the steps needed to begin your CIP compliance program at the low impact level.

Little Traverse Lighthouse, Harbor Point, Michigan | Photo: Lew Folkerth

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Enforcement Explained: Self-reporting credit and disposition efficiency

In this edition of Enforcement Explained, we will look behind the curtain at why self-reporting is valued, what we look for when assessing the quality and timeliness of a self-report, and how quality self-reports are a tool for entities to more quickly achieve regulatory clarity.

Click here to read more

Regulatory Affairs: Grid reliability news we’re tracking

The latest regulatory headlines we’re tracking include:

• FERC holds workshop to discuss generation interconnection
• FERC issues NOPR for new internal network security monitoring reliability standard
• FERC issues NOPR on supply chain risk management standards

Click here to read more

News & Updates

ERO Enterprise to host Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Registration Initiative webinar on Nov. 13

On Nov. 13 from 3-5 p.m. Eastern Time, the ERO Enterprise will host an informational webinar on the Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Registration Initiative, which addresses the identification and registration of owners and operators of IBRs that are connected to the bulk power system, but are not currently required to register with NERC or adhere to its Reliability Standards.

To mitigate this reliability concern, NERC seeks to register Generator Owners (GO) and Generator Operators (GOP) of non-Bulk Electric System IBRs with aggregate nameplate capacity ≥20 MVA connected at a voltage ≥60 kV.

This informational webinar is is designed for Category 2 GO and GOPs and will feature presentations from NERC, the Electricity Information Sharing Analysis Center (E‑ISAC), and Regional Entity staff focused on various topics and activities underway, including:

• Milestones and Work Plan
• Registration Criteria Revisions: New Category 2 GO and GOP
• NERC Standards and Compliance Expectations
• ERO Identification/Registration Process for Category 2 GO and GOPs
• Communications Resources

The webinar will include panelist presentations followed by a question-and-answer session.

Click here to register

RF hosts Fall Reliability & Security Summit

RF hosted our Fall Reliability & Security Summit Sept. 16-18 in Indianapolis, bringing together entities from our footprint, as well as state legislators, and other thought-leaders from industry and academia. We dove into the intersection of energy policy with reliability and security, as we navigate the challenges of a changing generation mix. Stay tuned for more details on next year’s event, planned for Sept. 8-10, 2025.

Attendees participate in the New Jersey Security Tabletop Exercise, hosted by ReliabilityFirst in Florham Park, New Jersey, on Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo: Gabe Cavallaro)

RF hosts New Jersey Security Tabletop Exercise

RF hosted a security tabletop exercise in Florham Park, New Jersey, on Oct. 9. We brought together major players from the electric industry, law enforcement and first responders, government officials, and communications and water utilities to work through what their response would be in the event of an attack on the electric grid. This simulated scenario provided a fantastic opportunity for attendees to make new connections that could prove to be vital in the future as well as practice how they would react to an attack scenario.

RF President & CEO Tim Gallagher speaks at the 2024 Fall Reliability & Security Summit in Indianapolis. (Photo: Lew Folkerth)

NERC recaps progress on IBR Registration Initiative, Interregional Transfer Capability Study in Q3 updates

NERC’s IBR Registration Initiative Q3 Update showcases progress made, highlights key activities in legal, registration, standards, stakeholder outreach, and E-ISAC engagements and provides available resources. Third quarter activities focused on outreach to registration candidates as well as the development of resources to support their entry into the ERO Enterprise.

See NERC’s IBR Registration Initiative Quick Reference Guide for more information or email compliance@rfirst.org if you have additional questions.

NERC also recapped its progress so far on the Interregional Transfer Capability Study (ITCS) in a Q3 Update published Oct. 1. Completed ITCS activities include:

• Publishing the Transfer Capability Analysis (Part 1) that provides current total transfer capability analysis between pairs of neighboring Transmission Planning Regions.
• Completing the energy margin analysis, which evaluates extreme weather conditions over 12 years.
• Creating a preliminary list of prudent additions to transfer capability to enhance reliability.
• Partnering with Regional Entities to gather feedback and input from stakeholders.

For more information, see NERC’s ITCS Project page.

Upcoming Events

Oct. 28, 2-3:30 p.m. | Technical Talk with RF

Join us on Oct. 28 for the next edition of Tech Talk with RF. In observance of Cyber Security Awareness Month, our presenters will discuss leading-edge topics related to cyber security.

Presenters:

• Megan Culler, Power Engineer / Researcher, Idaho National Laboratory
• Brent Castagnetto, Managing Partner, Archer Security Group, and Co-Founder, NovaSync

Stay tuned for agenda information to be posted on the event page on our website and LinkedIn page.

Event details

To explore our full calendar of upcoming events, click here.

The post First Things RFirst: October 2024 appeared first on ReliabilityFirst.

Expert analysis for a more reliable, secure and resilient electric grid, plus news and updates for RF stakeholders.

Insights & Analysis

The Lighthouse: CIP low impact from the ground up – Part 1, Introduction to NERC and the Reliability Standards

This is the first in a series of articles in which RF’s Lew Folkerth will explore the NERC CIP Standards applicable to low impact Bulk Electric System Cyber Systems.

Seul Choix Point Lighthouse in Gulliver, Michigan. (Photo: Lew Folkerth)

Click here to read more

Winter is coming and so is the Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations Standard (EOP-012-2)

Starting Oct. 1, 2024, numerous requirements and definitions within the newly approved Cold Weather and Preparedness (EOP-012-2) NERC Reliability Standard become effective with the phased-in implementation plan. In May, in preparation for the anticipated approval of EOP-012-2, the ERO Enterprise hosted Cold Weather Preparedness Small Group Advisory Sessions, and on Sept. 3, NERC posted a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.

Click here to read more

Regulatory Affairs: Grid reliability news we’re tracking

The latest regulatory headlines we’re tracking include:

• FERC announces annual reliability technical conference
• FERC to hold technical conference focused on colocation of large electric loads at generating facilities
• DOE releases electricity demand growth resource hub
• New energy bill advances in U.S. Senate

Click here to read more

News & Updates

When updates to ambient adjusted ratings (to comply with FERC Order 881) require a certification review

Nearly four years ago, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order 881, requiring all transmission providers to use ambient adjusted ratings (AARs) as the basis for evaluating near-term transmission service to increase the accuracy of near-term line ratings. As the July 12, 2025, deadline for this shift approaches, here’s what to know about when updates to AARs may require a certification review.

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NERC releases Inverter-Based Resource Initiative update

Phase 2 of the IBR Registration Initiative workplan is now underway and is scheduled to run through May 2025. Phase 2 focuses on the identification of Category 2 Generator Owner (GO)/Generator Operator (GOP) candidates, as well as continued outreach and education to industry.

NERC sent a request for information (RFI) to Transmission Owners (TOs) and Balancing Authorities (BAs) on July 9, 2024, as part of this effort. The information gathered through the RFI will be used to identify and connect with IBR registration candidates to inform them of the registration obligation, provide education on the reliability standards and requirements, and introduce NERC, the applicable Regional Entity, and the E-ISAC. Responses to the RFI are due to the Regional Entities by Sept. 20, 2024, and efforts to register new and existing Category 2 IBRs will take place through May 2026.

See NERC’s IBR Registration Initiative Quick Reference Guide for more information or email compliance@rfirst.org if you have additional questions.

NERC publishes Interregional Transfer Capability Study – Part 1 Transfer Capability Analysis

On Aug. 27, NERC published Transfer Capability Analysis (Part 1) of the Interregional Transfer Capability Study (ITCS). The report outlines current total transfer capability analysis between pairs of neighboring Transmission Planning Regions in North America. It focuses on conditions in Summer 2024 and the upcoming 2024-25 Winter and will provide critical input to Part 2 of the ITCS, which will recommend technically prudent additions to transfer capability between neighboring areas. For more information, see NERC’s ITCS Project page.

Upcoming Events

Sept. 16-18 | Fall Reliability & Security Summit

We hope to see you in Indianapolis next week for the 2024 Fall Reliability & Security Summit, where we’ll dive into the intersection of energy policy with reliability and security, as we navigate the challenges of a changing generation mix.

While in-person registration for this event has now closed, we have opened a Webex for those who get sick or otherwise cannot attend in-person this year. Information on how to tune-in virtually is now available on the event page on our website. Full agenda details can be found there as well.

Event details

Sept. 25, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | E-ISAC Physical Security Regional Workshop

E-ISAC is partnering with ReliabilityFirst, EPRI, ComEd, Edison Electric Institute, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the American Public Power Association to host this regional physical security workshop. In response to the evolving physical threat environment impacting the electric industry, we invite you to join a free discussion about the current threat landscape, mitigation strategies, and lessons learned.

Event details

Oct. 28, 2-3:30 p.m. | Technical Talk with RF

Join us on Oct. 28 for the next edition of Tech Talk with RF. Stay tuned for agenda information to be posted on the event page on our website and LinkedIn page.

Event details

To explore our full calendar of upcoming events, click here.

The post First Things RFirst: September 2024 appeared first on ReliabilityFirst.

Recent regulatory headlines we’re tracking include:

FERC announces annual reliability technical conference

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has announced it will be holding its annual reliability technical conference on Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. EST. The conference will take place at FERC’s Washington, D.C., headquarters but will also be available to stream online. The purpose of the technical conference is to discuss policy issues related to the reliability and security of the bulk power system, and a more detailed agenda will be released in the future.

FERC to hold technical conference focused on colocation of large electric loads at generating facilities

FERC also recently announced that it will be holding a technical conference to discuss issues related to the colocation of large electric loads (such as data centers or large manufacturing plants) at generating facilities. The conference will take place on Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. EST at FERC’s Washington, D.C., headquarters, and there will be a live webcast. Since the rise in data centers and their high demand on the grid, many (including U.S. lawmakers) have expressed concerns that the colocation of data centers with generating facilities will take reliable and needed sources of generation off the market. FERC stated that the issues to be explored at the technical conference include whether co-located loads require the provision of wholesale transmission or ancillary services, related cost allocation issues, and potential resource adequacy, reliability, affordability, market, and customer impacts.

DOE releases electricity demand growth resource hub

The Department of Energy (DOE) released a new resource hub on how to meet rising energy demand from data centers, electric vehicles, and manufacturing, while ensuring reliability, affordability, and security. The resource hub contains a variety of DOE reports and resources on topics such as resource adequacy, how AI can help clean energy meet growing demand, and how to support data center electricity needs. It also includes information on upcoming DOE webinars and workshops related to demand growth.

New energy bill advances in U.S. Senate

U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Ranking Member John Barrasso’s (R-WY) new Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S.4753) recently advanced from the Senate floor. The bipartisan bill’s goal is to speed up the permitting process for critical U.S. energy and mineral projects. It includes provisions regarding onshore and offshore oil and gas leasing and permits, natural gas exports applications, and hydropower licenses. Notably, the bill also includes provisions on electric transmission permitting and planning, and a section (Section 501 of the bill) where FERC may issue orders for the ERO to assess and report on the potential reliability impacts of regulations proposed by other federal agencies. As part of this assessment and reporting process, the ERO would also need to consider available ways to mitigate potential reliability impacts, and allow for technical input from affected RTOs/ISOs.

Manchin has made numerous comments during committee hearings about the need for permitting reform legislation, and both he and Barrasso have stated that there was a long period of behind-the-scenes work and negotiation on the draft bill before it was publicly released in late July. A one-page summary of the bill from the committee can be found here.

The post Regulatory Affairs news highlights: September 2024 appeared first on ReliabilityFirst.