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Q3 2021 NERC & FERC Regulatory News
GridSME Reliability & Compliance Team • Jun 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. |
Insights from GridSME: California's Renewable Energy Roadmap GridSME's Subject Matter Experts, Gary Brown and Lowell Watros, contributed valuable insights to this article for Reuters. Their expertise helped provide information and analysis on California's latest grid plan, particularly concerning grid improvements, renewable energy projects, and an expected surge in solar and storage projects. With their input, the article offers a comprehensive understanding of the developments in California's energy landscape and the implications for the renewable energy sector. Below are some of the key insights and takeaways from the article.
🚨 NERC Alert: Assessing 6 GHz Communication Impact on Electric Industry NERC has issued a Level 2 Alert concerning 6 GHz Communication Penetration in the Electric Industry, targeting Distribution Providers (DP), Distribution Provider UFLS-Only (DP-UFLS), Generator Owners (GO), and Transmission Owners (TO). The alert aims to evaluate reliance on 6 GHz technology and potential interference severity. Respondents must address a series of questions by July 8, 2024, to assess the situation comprehensively. Although only registered entities can respond directly, the alert is publicly available. Action items include acknowledging the alert and completing the questionnaire. Recommendations include identifying critical circuits and conducting baseline performance tests. It's crucial to note that these recommendations are distinct from requirements, as clarified by NERC. This alert underscores the necessity of assessing 6 GHz communication's impact on industry reliability and security. Stakeholders should stay informed and promptly address the alert's requirements. For further details, visit NERC's website: Link . See our LinkedIn post about the NERC Alert: here .