Industry News

Welcome Alix Minjarez to GridSME's Compliance Team! Please help us welcome Alix Minjarez as a Compliance Analyst at GridSME! Hailing from Lee's Summit, Missouri, Alix brings a wealth of expertise in contracts and proposals. Her proficiency in navigating the complexities of contractual processes, coupled with a strong commitment to accuracy and compliance, positions her as a valuable asset to our team. With a proven track record and prior leadership experience as a Contract Department Manager, Alix is well-prepared to contribute to our mission of ensuring the reliability and integrity of the electrical grid. Alix's background in efficiently managing contractual intricacies aligns seamlessly with the collaborative and detail-oriented environment at GridSME. We look forward to leveraging her skills and commitment to excellence as we continue to advance our initiatives in maintaining the highest standards of compliance. Welcome to the team, Alix!

Welcoming Lucy Schmidt to GridSME's Compliance Team We're thrilled to welcome Lucy Schmidt to GridSME's Compliance team. With a background in political campaigns and a strong commitment to compliance, Lucy's meticulous approach and dedication to accuracy make her an ideal addition to our collaborative environment. Lucy, a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law, brings versatility and expertise, honed through roles as an Election Worker and Paralegal.  Based in Meridian, Mississippi, Lucy is set to contribute to strengthening our compliance initiatives, including projects with Generator Owner (GO) and Low Impact Generator Operator (GOP) implementation. As she joins our team, we look forward to Lucy's positive impact on our mission of ensuring the reliability and integrity of the electrical grid. Welcome, Lucy!

GridSME is proud to announce some exciting developments within its Compliance Team. Three dedicated team members have been promoted to new positions, and their contributions are set to make a significant impact on the organization's pursuit of excellence in compliance services. Kim Van Brimer, who has been promoted to Manager of Compliance Administrative Services. In her new role, Kim will play a crucial part in supporting the compliance staff with various administrative tasks. Her responsibilities encompass Document Control, SharePoint Administration, Project Management, Procedural Documentation, and enhancing the overall client experience by delivering high-quality services. Kim's promotion signals a strong commitment to ensuring efficiency and seamless operations within the Compliance Department. Kaylie Hague, who has been promoted to Compliance Implementation Coordinator. Kaylie is set to be a key figure in strengthening GridSME's Generator Owner (GO) and Low Impact Generator Operator (GOP) implementation program. Her technical expertise and proactive approach will play a pivotal role in helping clients successfully navigate the complex landscape of NERC compliance. Her promotion reflects GridSME's dedication to offering top-notch support for clients in the renewable energy industry. Nick Barse, who has been promoted to Manager of Managed Compliance Services (MCS). Nick's responsibilities extend across the MCS program, which encompasses various compliance programs, including those related to Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) and the new GO/GOP Inverter Based Resources (IBR) initiative. His leadership and expertise will be instrumental in the success of these programs, ensuring GridSME continues to provide outstanding compliance services. These promotions are a testament to GridSME's commitment to excellence and efficiency in compliance services. They are not only a well-deserved recognition of the skills and dedication of these team members but also a vital step towards further enhancing the organization's support for the renewable energy industry. Please join us in congratulating Kim, Kaylie, and Nick as they start on these exciting new roles and continue to contribute to GridSME's mission of compliance excellence.

In a recent update, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has mandated the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to develop new standards for addressing issues associated with Inverter-Based Resources (IBR). This change primarily focuses on Generator Owners (GO) and Generator Operators (GOP), and on ensuring the reliability and stability of the grid. Applicability: The new standards will require Generation Facilities that produce more than 20 MW and interconnect at 60 kV or greater to register as GO-IBR. Additionally, GOPs operating GO-IBR facilities through a control center or a Remote Operating Center (ROC) will need to register as GOP-IBR. FERC's directive outlines four key areas of focus, including performance requirements, data sharing, model validation, and planning and operational studies. These changes will influence how IBRs collect and share data during system disturbances, affect the interconnection process, and enhance model validation activities. These modifications are expected to be rolled out by specific deadlines, with the aim of bolstering grid stability. Next Steps: To stay ahead of the curve and align with FERC's directives, GridSME encourages that owners and operators of GO-IBR sites plan and budget ahead of time. As these changes unfold, GridSME is committed to keeping a close eye on FERC and NERC developments to ensure that our clients are well-prepared for the evolving regulatory landscape if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to our team at bdgroup@gridsme.com or call at (916) 800-4545. Download our pdf here

Welcoming David Greene to GridSME! We are absolutely thrilled to introduce you to the newest member of our Grid Integration family at GridSME, David Greene. With over four decades of dedicated experience in the power industry, David's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. His expertise in DERMS, SCADA, NMS/ADMS, and smart grid technology is the result of a lifelong passion for innovation and excellence. Our journey with David began three years ago when he first crossed our path, and now, we're delighted to welcome him into a pivotal leadership role as an independent consultant here at GridSME. A Multifaceted talent Beyond his impressive professional journey, David has also chosen to call Austin, Texas, home, where he enjoys life with his beloved wife following his well-deserved retirement. When he's not contributing his incredible expertise to the world of power systems, you might find David exploring his love for photography or tinkering with custom computers. Additionally, his commitment to his community shines through his active role as a deacon, facilitating a small group Bible study, and contributing to the worship arts at his church. Join us in extending a warm and heartfelt welcome to David Greene, our esteemed independent consultant. With his wealth of knowledge, dedication, and personal touch, Welcome to the team!

Welcoming Dom Darling to GridME! GridSME is excited to welcome Dom Darling to our Compliance Team. With extensive experience in energy, sustainability, infrastructure, and compliance auditing, Dom brings a wealth of expertise to our team. Dom's track record of leadership and strong organizational skills have consistently delivered high-quality results. He excels in audit preparation, offers actionable recommendations based on NERC CIP expertise, and has been instrumental in developing risk-based compliance programs. His educational background in communications and computer science, combined with his extensive experience as a Compliance Auditor, including Subject Matter Expert duties for NERC CIP standards, make him a great addition to GridSME. An Experienced Compliance Authority With 15 years in the power industry, including over a decade as a dedicated auditor at WECC, Dom's profound knowledge of NERC CIP and CompTIA Security+ certification will greatly benefit our clients involved in CIP low and medium-impact programs. Welcome to the team, Domenic!

Welcoming Chelsea Scalzo to GridSME's Compliance Team We are excited to welcome Chelsea Scalzo to GridSME as our new Compliance Analyst. Chelsea brings over a decade of experience as an Operations Project Lead in the electric systems industry, making her a valuable addition to our Canadian NERC Compliance team. Her expertise and meticulous attention to detail will undoubtedly bolster our compliance efforts. A Dedicated Team Player and Compliance Expert Chelsea is not only a seasoned professional but also a dedicated team player with excellent communication skills. Her commitment to efficiency and compliance align perfectly with our mission. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact Chelsea will have on our team and our continued efforts to ensure the reliability and integrity of the electrical grid. Welcome aboard, Chelsea!

Welcoming Torri Pugh to GridSME's Business Development Team We are thrilled to introduce Torri Pugh, the newest member of GridSME's Business Development team. Torri is a recent graduate from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Environmental Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, along with a minor in Global Studies. Her passion for sustainability and renewable energy, coupled with her positive attitude, efficient multitasking and attention to detail, make her a valuable addition to our team. Torri will play a pivotal role in proposal coordination, customer relationship management, and marketing/business development, contributing to our commitment to a greener future. A Bright and Green Future Ahead With Torri's dedication to sustainability and her enthusiasm for innovation, we are excited to welcome her to the GridSME family. Her unique skill set and commitment to a greener future align wonderfully with our mission. As Torri grows with our dynamic Business Development Team, we look forward to her contributions and the positive impact she will bring to our journey in shaping the future of sustainable energy. Welcome, Torri!

We are pleased to welcome Gavi Dhariwal to GridSME's engineering team. Previously Gavi was a Teaching Assistant/Tutor at the University of Redlands. He is a math fanatic, which makes him a key addition to the engineering team. He has participated in Summer Research Programs where he developed the skills to learn and apply new concepts in a limited timeframe. Additionally, his experience at the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics expanded his knowledge of Mathematics even more and furthered his interests in Graph Theory and problem solving. Gavi's passion for diving deeper into Complex Analysis, Number Theory, Machine Learning, and Non-Euclidean Geometries will allow him to thrive in his Technical Data Analyst role. Gavi has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Redlands. Welcome to the team, Gavi!