# Presentation: 918608

## NERC and Regional Efforts to Ensure Reliability

- Dave Nevius, NERC Sr. VP
- David Cook, NERC VP & General Counsel
- Louise McCarren, WECC CEO
- Don Benjamin, NERC VP Operations

## NERC Background

- Formed in 1968
- Ensure reliable bulk power system
- 10 Regional Reliability Council Members
- Represent all industry sectors
- U.S. – Canada – Mexico
- Independent Board
- Technical Committees and Staff

## Interconnections & Regions

## 140 Control Areas

## 18 Reliability Coordinators

## Standards
Assessments
Compliance Programs
Operator Training and Certification
Tools and Systems for Reliable Operations
Critical Infrastructure Protection

- Assessments
- Compliance Programs
- Operator Training and Certification
- Tools and Systems for Reliable Operations
- Critical Infrastructure Protection

- NERC Reliability Activities

## Existing Policies and Standards
Standards not enforceable
New Standards Development Process
Transition to New Standards
Coordination with NAESB and ISOs/RTOs
Functional Model – Foundation of New Reliability Standards

- Standards not enforceable
- New Standards Development Process
- Transition to New Standards
- Coordination with NAESB and ISOs/RTOs
- Functional Model – Foundation of New Reliability Standards

- Reliability Standards

## Long Term (10 years)
Short Term (Summer/Winter)
Review of disturbances
Gas-Electric Interdependency Study
Electricity Supply and Demand
Generator Availability

- Short Term (Summer/Winter)
- Review of disturbances
- Gas-Electric Interdependency Study
- Electricity Supply and Demand
- Generator Availability

- Reliability Assessments

## Annual Compliance Reviews - Public
Control Area Certification
Audits
Regional Compliance Programs
WECC Reliability Management System
NPCC Reliability Compliance and Enforcement Program

- Control Area Certification
- Audits
- Regional Compliance Programs
- WECC Reliability Management System
- NPCC Reliability Compliance and Enforcement Program

- Compliance Programs

## System Operator Certification Program
Continuing Education Program

- Continuing Education Program

- Training & Certification

## Interregional Security Network
Reliability Coordinator Information System
System Data Exchange
Electronic Transaction Tagging
Interchange Distribution Calculator
Transmission Services Information Network (OASIS)

- Reliability Coordinator Information System
- System Data Exchange
- Electronic Transaction Tagging
- Interchange Distribution Calculator
- Transmission Services Information Network (OASIS)

- Tools & Systems

## Standards & Guidelines
Vulnerability Assessments
Electricity Sector Coordinator
Information Sharing & Analysis Center
Spare Equipment Database

- Vulnerability Assessments
- Electricity Sector Coordinator
- Information Sharing & Analysis Center
- Spare Equipment Database

- Critical Infrastructure Protection

## Need recognized in 1996
Supported by industry and government
Legislation introduced in 1999
History of violations
“Plan B” efforts not successful
Consensus reliability legislation included in energy bill

- Supported by industry and government
- Legislation introduced in 1999
- History of violations
- “Plan B” efforts not successful
- Consensus reliability legislation included in energy bill

- Mandatory Reliability Standards

## October 15 “near-term actions” letter to CEOs
Self-certifications due December 15
Board directed NERC to audit FirstEnergy, MISO, and PJM
Follow with audits of other CAs and RCs
NERC Steering Group to recommend further NERC actions

- Self-certifications due December 15
- Board directed NERC to audit FirstEnergy, MISO, and PJM
- Follow with audits of other CAs and RCs
- NERC Steering Group to recommend further NERC actions

- NERC Blackout Response

## Voltage support/reactive supply
Reliability communications 
Computer failure response & notifications
Emergency action plans & capabilities
Operator training for emergencies
Vegetation management

- Reliability communications
- Computer failure response & notifications
- Emergency action plans & capabilities
- Operator training for emergencies
- Vegetation management

- Near-Term Industry Actions