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Q3 2021 NERC & FERC Regulatory News
GridSME Reliability & Compliance Team • June 30, 2021
Recent NERC News
- Registration for GridSecCon is open. Co-hosted by NERC and Texas RE, GridSecCon will take place virtually between October 19-20. This online conference will include presentations and discussions on emerging cyber threats from leading industry subject matter experts. Register
HERE.
- On July 19th, ERO Enterprises announced the Release 2 launch of the Align tool and ERO Secure Evidence Locker (SEL) for MRO, NERC and Texas RE. The purpose of the Align project is to use a standardized platform for compliance monitoring and enforcement. Training materials are located
HERE.
- E-ISAC and Dragos Inc. announced an initiative to increase visibility of emerging cyber security threats affecting the North American electricity industry. Dragos Inc., in collaboration with the Department of Energy, is the creator of Neighborhood Keeper which allows participants to share and receive threat insights.
- On July 1,
TPL-007-4 – Transmission System Planned Performance for Geomagnetic Disturbance Events Requirements R12 and R13 became effective. The new requirements mandate that responsible entities have a process for collecting Geomagnetic Induced Current (GIC) and geomagnetic field data.
Recent FERC News
- NERC, FERC and regional entities published a joint report to evaluate system conditions using real-time data to assess existing and potential operating conditions. Their report provides the assessment methodology and concludes with recommendations for system operators to identify performance metrics and data evaluation procedures for assessing loss of Real-time data. The report applies to Transmission Operators and Reliability Coordinators and is located HERE.
- On July 15, FERC announced the approval of an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to accept public commentary on improving transmission planning as the U.S. transitions to renewable resources. The Notice seeks to address improvements to transmission infrastructure as well as the needs for customer protection, and coordination between transmission providers. The Notice is located
HERE.
| NERC Reliability Standard | Effective/ Enforcement Date | Functional Registration / System Applicability | New/Revised Standard | Potential Impacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAC-008-5 R8 | 10/1/21 | TO, GO* | Revised | R7 will be retired. R8 is applicable to TO and GOs that meet R2 criteria must show communication of Facility Ratings and limiting equipment to RC, PC, TP, TO and TOP. Applicable facilities should have a process in place to ensure adherence to the standard.� |
| TPL-007-4 R6, R10 | 1/1/22 | PC*, TP*, TO*, GO* | Revised | Applicable GOs and TOs must have a Thermal Impact Assessment completed. |
| PRC-012-2 R9 | 1/1/22 | RC | Revised | Reliability Coordinators (RC) that don�t have a RAS databased must establish a database by the effective date.� |
| PRC-002-2 R2-R4, R6-R11 | 7/1/22 | Entities owning only one BES bus, BES Element, or generating unit� | Revised | Entities that own only one (1) identified BES bus, BES Element, or generating unit shall be fully compliant with the requirements by the effective date.� |
| PRC-024-3 R1-R4 | 10/1/22 | GOs that apply protection listed in Section 4.2.1., TOs that own a BES generator step-up transformer or collector transformer and apply protection listed in Section 4.2.1. | Revised | To set protection such that generating re- source(s) remain connected during defined frequency and voltage excursions in support of the Bulk Electric System (BES). |
| TPL-007-4 R3, R4, R8 | 1/1/23 | 1/1/2023 PC, TP, TO, GO, Facilities that include power transformers with a high side wye-grounded winding with terminal voltage greater than 200 kV | Revised | Includes requirement for GOs to perform ther- mal impact assessments with applicable BES power transformers (applicability subject to further evaluation and action by planning enti- ties). Planning Coordinators will inform GOs of their obligations, if any, per the Requirements. |
| TPL-007-4 R7, R8 | 1/1/24 | PC, TP, TO, GO, Facilities that include power transformers with a high side wye-grounded winding with terminal voltage greater than 200 kV | Revised | Qualifying entities that determine their system does not meet the performance requirements for the steady state planning benchmark GMD event, shall develop a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) addressing how the performance requirements will be met. |
Information regarding an upcoming NERC Alert Level 3
Welcome Casey James: Our New Senior Meter Engineer at GridSME We are thrilled to announce that Casey James has joined the GridSME team as our Senior Meter Engineer! With over seven years of experience in metering engineering and management, Casey brings a wealth of expertise to our clients, supporting their needs in large-scale energy projects, regulatory compliance, and advanced metering solutions. Casey holds a B.S. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, specializing in Power from California State University, Sacramento, and has built a reputation as an expert in controls and metering integration, battery energy storage systems, and both retail and wholesale metering. His skills also extend to consulting on metering regulations on a national level, where he has guided critical stakeholders and driven innovation in metering standards for the evolving power sector. In previous roles, Casey has led teams of engineers and technicians across California, establishing best practices, training programs, and compliance workflows for efficient, accurate project delivery. He has been instrumental in developing metering methodologies for some of the largest solar and battery energy projects in the country and has substantial experience with CAISO-compliant inspections, SCADA implementations, and programming complex metering algorithms. At GridSME, Casey’s technical acumen and leadership will be invaluable as he works to deliver precise, reliable, and compliant metering solutions for our clients. We are excited to have him on board to help advance our mission and further support our clients in the energy industry. Please join us in welcoming Casey to the GridSME family!