First Things RFirst: November 2024
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)
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
To explore our full calendar of upcoming events, click here.
First Things RFirst: November 2024