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