First Things RFirst: June 2024
Expert analysis for a more reliable, secure and resilient electric grid, plus news and updates for RF stakeholders.
Insights & Analysis
2024 Summer Reliability Assessment
RF’s Summer Reliability Assessment projects the PJM and MISO areas to have adequate resources under normal demand, but if demand or resource outages are experienced beyond those projections, there is an increased likelihood that corrective actions would be needed. This risk is low in the PJM area, but it is elevated in the MISO area.
The Lighthouse: The challenges of Operational Technology cyber security
Our modern civilization relies on Operational Technology (OT) to keep essential services working. The electric grid, pipelines, water treatment plants, transportation systems, and many more all depend on OT to deliver reliable services. Operating these systems securely comes with a host of cyber security challenges.
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Mackinaw City, Michigan | Photo: Lew Folkerth
Internal Controls: If April showers bring May flowers, what does June bring?
While the answer to this question is usually a joke, this time, really ask yourself: what does June bring? In our industry, outage season has ended, temperatures start to rise, and we turn to our meteorologists forecasting summer storms. How do we ensure that we are ready for this? We trust our internal controls!
Regulatory Affairs: Grid reliability news we’re tracking
The latest regulatory headlines we’re tracking include:
- FERC issues landmark Order 1920 on regional transmission planning and cost allocation
- FERC issues Order 1977 on interstate electric transmission facility siting process
- U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds hearing on growth in demand and for electric power
News & Updates
Impact Report highlights RF’s value to electric grid reliability and security
ReliabilityFirst published its 2023 Impact Report Monday, highlighting the value our organization provides to North Americans through our work to support the reliability and security of the electric grid.
This document captures RF’s strategic vision and work product in support of these goals throughout 2023, including how we’re tackling the initiatives in our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and the risks pinpointed in our Regional Reliability Assessment.
The Impact Report also serves as a great high-level resource for our stakeholders to better get to know our organization at a glance.
Upcoming Events
July 15, 2-3:30 p.m. EST | Technical Talk with RF
Join us for the next edition of Technical Talk with RF on July 15, where we’ll be focusing on cold weather preparation and winterization standards for registered entities as part of our annual “Christmas in July” episode of Tech Talk. Full agenda details will be posted on our website once they are available.
Aug. 7, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | 10th Annual Protection System Workshop
This workshop will cover a diverse range of topics and discussions relative to Protection Systems tailored to the needs of substation and transmission maintenance personnel; protection and controls experts; operations control room staff, including tools support personnel for EMS and SCADA; and asset design groups (substation and transmission). It will include speakers from RF, industry subject matter experts, and others.
Aug. 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | 7th Annual Human Performance Workshop
This workshop will focus on practical application of human performance techniques and concepts for front-line activities that attendees can retain and use in transmission reliability related work areas such as operations, asset management, design, protection, maintenance, and others. The ideas, suggestions and stories shared during this highly interactive, free event are especially relevant for human resources professionals; asset management groups; internal control champions and specialists; company trainers; and leadership and others interested in these topics.
Sept. 16-18 | Fall Reliability & Security Summit
Registration is now open for the 2024 Fall Reliability & Security Summit. Join us in Indianapolis, starting with our annual Awards Ceremony and reception on the evening of Monday, Sept. 16, followed by a full day of panels and presentations on Sept. 17, and additional presentations and industry committee meetings on the morning of Sept. 18.
We’ll be diving into the intersection of energy policy with reliability and security, as we navigate the challenges of a changing generation mix. We’ll have speakers from state government, including an energy policy legislator panel featuring:
- Maryland State Sen. Brian Feldman
- Delaware State Sen. Stephanie Hansen
- Indiana State Sen. Eric Koch
- Ohio State Rep. Dick Stein
And our preliminary agenda for the event also includes:
- FERC update
- NERC Interregional Transfer Capability Study (ITCS) update | John Moura, Director, Reliability Assessment and Performance Analysis, NERC
- How to develop a responsive workforce to address the threats of the future | Tim Conway, Technical Director, ICS at SANS Institute
- What keeps a CSO up at night | Felek Abbas, Chief Security Officer, Southwest Power Pool
- Socioeconomic considerations for the electric grid | Jerome Dumortier, Associate Professor and Director of Research, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University Indianapolis
- MISO Reliability Imperative | Todd Hillman, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, MISO
- Project 2016-02 Modifications to CIP Standards | NERC Engineering and Standards
- The sandbox of reliability, risk and compliance | Jason Thornton, Principal Technical Auditor, RF Operations & Planning Compliance Monitoring
This event will be held at the Conrad Indianapolis hotel, where breakfast and lunch will be available Tuesday and Wednesday. We hope to see you there!
To explore our full calendar of upcoming events, click here.
First Things RFirst: June 2024