MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 

between the 

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION 

and the 

INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS, 

INCORPORATED 

This Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") is entered into by and between the 

United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Institute of 

Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Incorporated (IEEE) on behalf of the Power 

& Energy Society (IEEE PES), hereinafter "the Parties." IEEE is a not-for-profit 

organization that engages in scientific and educational activities directed toward 

advancement of the theory and practice of electrical, electronics, communications 

and computer engineering. FERC regulates aspects of the energy industry in the 

United States, including reliability of the nation's bulk power system. 

I. Purpose 

The purpose of this MOU is to facilitate interactions between FERC and IEEE on 

matters of mutual interest pertaining to the nation's bulk power system. Through 

this MOU, the Parties seek to more effectively align their efforts to address energy 

infrastructure and energy market challenges due to significant changes in energy 

supply, demand, and technology. Technology changes, including the growth in 

renewable generating resources, distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, 

and energy storage, among others, coupled with the increased availability of 

natural gas, and new environmental requirements provide new opportunities for 

improving the efficiency and reliability of the bulk power system. Increasingly 

volatile weather patterns (storms, tsunamis, solar flares, etc.), and cyber and 

physical security concerns, in combination with increased demands to deliver 

quality electrical power, have resulted in increased public focus to improve 

electrical energy d~livery. 

As new technologies are developed, they will require careful examination to 

understand their impacts, requirements, and potential benefits for integration into 

the electric energy system. Recognizing the mutual interest in mobilizing the 

technical community to address these challenges pertaining to the reliable and 

efficient operation of the nation's bulk power system, FERC and IEEE are 

formalizing this understanding for the purpose of facilitating dialogue and 

coordinating activities leading to the implementation of effective strategies for 

enduring responsibilities of both organizations. This purpose statement is not 

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exhaustive and FERC and IEEE may decide to cooperate in other areas of mutual 

interest. 

Cooperation between FERC and IEEE under this MOU may include but is 

not limited to the following objectives for electric energy systems: 

1. Sharing technical needs and addressing challenges for infrastructure 

planning, operation, and market optimization; 

2. Identifying existing and emerging technological requirements and needs 

and approaches for addressing them; and 

3. Developing, disseminating and sharing information on advancements in 

technology and associated policy and standards for planning, operations, 

and maintenance of electric energy systems and their component parts. 

II. Coordination 

IEEE PES will act as the IEEE lead organization and will consult within other 

divisions of IEEE as necessary. 

Through this MOU, the Parties agree to work together to advance the objectives 

stated above and will develop an implementation plan to accomplish them. An 

initial draft implementation plan is incorporated as an addendum under this MOU. 

III. Terms and Termination 

This MOU shall remain in effect until terminated by either party upon written 

notice to the other party. Parties should endeavor to give sixty (60) days prior 

written notice of such termination. 

This MOU in no way restricts either of the Parties from participating in any 

activity with other public or private agencies, organizations or individuals. 

This MOU is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Nothing in 

this MOU authorizes or is intended to obligate the Parties to expend, 

exchange, or reimburse funds, services, or supplies, or transfer or receive 

anything of value. 

This MOU is not legally enforceable and shall not be construed to create 

any legal obligation on the part of either Party, including that of a federal 

contractor. This MOU shall not be construed to provide a private right or 

cause of action for or by any person or entity. 

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This MOU does not imply endorsement by either party of the other 

organization, its products or its services. 

This MOU is subject to, and will be carried out in compliance with, all applicable 

laws, regulations and other legal requirements. 

IV. Modifications 

· This MOU may be modified by mutually acceptable written amendment duly 

executed by authorized officials of FERC and IEEE. 

V. Entire Agreement 

This MOU constitutes the full and final understanding of both Parties on all 

subjects contained within it. All prior negotiations, understandings, and 

agreements are merged into this MOU. 

VI. Execution 

The Parties have caused this MOU to be executed in duplicate originals by their 

duly authorized representatives and is effective on the date of the last signature 

below. 

For the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

~~&l?'[ .-u71 j... 'H~ 6)-u. zc,1 zo1b 

Michael Bardee DATE 

Director, Office of Electric Reliability 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

IEEE~ and CEO 

DATE 

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