Article #3700 - NERC
A Memorandum of Understanding has been established between the North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB), the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), and the Independent System Operator/Regional Transmission Organization Council (ISO/RTO) Council, allocating different responsibilities among the three groups. This survey of GridWise™-related standards efforts examined NERC standards and industry policy, as well as further details of key standards such as OASIS-SCP and e-tagging. Most of the higher level standards work previously developed under NERC has been transferred from NERC to NAESB, though significant ‘reliability’ aspects remain under NERC. Although the ISO/RTO Council signed the MOU with NAESB and NERC, they do not develop standards. It is not clear where lines will be drawn from wholesale to retail, and where standards questions integrating transmission and distribution will be treated.
NERC, North American Electric Reliability Council
| NERC, North American Electric Reliability Council | |
|---|---|
| Overview |
The North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) is a not-for-profit organization formed as a result of the Northeast blackout in 1965 to promote the reliability of the bulk electric systems that serve North America. It works with all segments of the electric industry and customers, to "keep the lights on" by developing and encouraging compliance with standards for the reliable operation and adequacy of supply of these systems. NERC comprises ten Regional Reliability Councils (RRC) that account for virtually all of the electricity supplied in the United States, Canada, and a portion of Baja California Norte, Mexico. The participants of NERC are not only the ten RRC owner-members, but also many other organizations from all segments of the electric industry: investor-owned utilities; independent power producers; power marketers; federal, provincial and state regulators; and end-use customers. NERC works with all segments of the electric industry to develop Organization Standards for the reliable planning and operation of bulk electric systems. The NERC Organization Standards define certain obligations or requirements of entities that plan, operate, and use the bulk electric systems of North America. These obligations or requirements must be material to reliability and must be measurable. Each Organization Standard must enable or support one or more of the NERC Reliability Principles and be consistent with all Reliability and Market Interface Principles. The purpose of a standard is to support the reliability of the North American bulk electric systems without causing undue restrictions or adverse impacts on competitive electricity markets. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorized the creation of a self-regulatory electric reliability organization (ERO) that spans North America, with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) oversight in the United States. The legislation makes compliance with North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) and regional reliability standards mandatory and enforceable; presently compliance is voluntary in the United States. The legislation respects the international character of the bulk electric system by ensuring that the ERO applies for and receives comparable recognition and approvals from government authorities in Canada. In July 2006 NERC was certified by FERC as the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) for the United States. NERC is also seeking recognition as the ERO from governmental authorities in Canada. NERC coordinates the development of reliability standards with NAESB and the ISO/RTO Council. |
| Significance for GridWise |
Average NAESB is more significant. NERC is not considered so much a standards org (although they are officially accredited), but they are important for our work. |
| Industry Sector(s) | Utility |
| Geopolitical Reach | US, North America |
| Type of Standards Body | ANSI Accredited SDO. |
| Relevant Standards and Work Groups |
Operating Committee
Critical Infrastructure Protection Advisory Group
Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) |
|
Design Center |
Need more access to NERC/NAESB collaborations & NERC website. |
|
Interrelations |
ANSI, NAESB, OSC, ISO/RTO Council |
| Contact Information |
