ReliabilityFirst

Q1 and Q2 Finance and Audit Committee Meeting
2023-04-26 15:10 - 17:10 (America/New_York) | ReliabilityFirst, 3 Summit Park Dr #600, Independence, OH, 44131, United States
Reference Materials:
2023-04-26-27 Schedule of Events
2023-04-26 Finance and Audit Committee Agenda
2023 1-2 Qtr Board Announcement

Q1 and Q2 Compliance Committee Meeting
2023-04-26 13:00 - 15:00 | ReliabilityFirst, 3 Summit Park Dr #600, Independence, OH, 44131, United States
Reference Materials:
2023 1-2 Qtr Board Announcement
2023-04-26 Compliance Committee Agenda
2023-04-26-27 Schedule of Events

Q1 and Q2 Compensation Committee Meeting
2023-04-26 09:00 - 12:00 | ReliabilityFirst, 3 Summit Park Dr #600, Independence, OH, 44131, United States
Reference Materials:
2023-04-26 Compensation Committee Agenda
2023-04-26-27 Schedule of Events
2023 1-2 Qtr Board Announcement

Technical Talk with RF
2023-04-17 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual (Webex)
Agenda Topics:
Substation Physical Security
Mike Hughes, Manager, Entity Engagement, RF

Mike Hughes will provide an overview of physical security practices that can help enhance the reliability, security and resilience of the Bulk Power System. Physical attacks on our critical infrastructure can result in sustained outages beyond traditional planning criteria, plus the need to implement spare equipment strategies for recovery.

Physical Security Common Failure Points
Mike Hattery, Counsel, Enforcement, RF

​As a follow-up to Mike Hughes’s overview pre​sentation, Mike Hattery will lead a discussion on common failure points, including proactive approaches and controls that are essential to maintaining the reliability, resilience and security of the Bulk Power System.

These presentations are relevant for anyone interested in physical security practices and recovery, including technical experts in physical and/or cyber-security, compliance contacts, internal control champions and those interested in system resilience.​

Reference Materials:
2023-04-17 Tech Talk

Technical Talk with RF
2023-03-20 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual (Webex)
Agenda Topics:
Establishing and Communicating System Operating Limits – Upcoming Changes
Dean LaForest – Project 2015-09 Chair 2019-2021 and Manager of Real-Time Studies at ISO-NE
Vic Howell – Project 2015-09 Chair 2015-2019 and Director of Reliability Risk Management at WECC
Stephen Whaite – Technical Auditor, Operations & Planning Compliance Monitoring, RF

Please join RF and the chairs of the Project 2015-09 Standard Drafting Team to discuss what a System Operating Limit (SOL) is, what an SOL exceedance is, and what is included in the NERC Reliability Standards framework surrounding SOLs. The use of SOLs is a foundational construct in the NERC Reliability Standards, supporting the reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System (BES) by setting parameters within which the BES should be operated to provide for reliable pre- and post-contingency system performance. Standards Project 2015-09 resulted in FERC approval of a revised definition for SOL, a new defined term System Voltage Limit, major revisions to FAC-011 and FAC-014, retirement of FAC-010-3, and associated revisions to six other Reliability Standards – all effective April 1, 2024.
The discussion around the use of SOLs in Operations Planning and Real-time Operations is especially relevant for System Operations and Operations Support personnel at Transmission Operators and Reliability Coordinators. Transmission Planning personnel at Transmission Planners and Planning Coordinators will also be impacted by the retirement of FAC-010-3 and associated revisions to other standards. Generator Owners and Transmission Owners may be impacted by changes to applicable Facilities in FAC-003, PRC-002, PRC-023, and PRC-026.

Operational Analysis and Awareness (OAA) Update
Tony Purgar, Senior Manager, OAA, RF
Kellen Phillips, Principal Analyst, OAA, RF
Dwayne Fewless, Principal Analyst, OAA, RF

This discussion will highlight the OAA group and its core responsibilities including an overview of the Event Analysis Process (i.e., reporting requirements, cause coding, trends); explanation on “what is an inquiry”; and a look into our Situational Awareness / Threat Intelligence activities and tools.
This discussion is intended for entities with functional responsibilities of the Balancing Authority, Distribution Provider, Generation Owner, Generation Operator, Reliability Coordinator, Transmission Owner and Transmission Operator. It’s relevant to bulk power system operations personnel that deal with system disturbances, situational awareness, and threat intelligence monitoring from the cyber, physical and operational perspectives.​​​

Reference Materials:
OAA Update_March2023
2023-03-20 Tech Talk
System Operating Limits_20Mar2023

State Energy Policy Webinar
2023-03-13 13:00 - 16:30 | Virtual (Webex)
The Transforming Electric Grid: How states can ask the right questions to keep power reliable and secure for their citizens

Join us for ReliabilityFirst’s State Energy Policy Webinar! We will be discussing the transformation of the electric grid with speakers from RF, FERC, NERC, PJM and MISO. This webinar will provide an update on FERC NOPRS, NERC’s Long Term Reliability Assessment, essential reliability services, best practices and engage in discussion with expert panelists.

Event Information:
Click here to join​
Meeting Number: 2314 750 7713
Meeting Password: [REDACTED]
Join by phone: 1-650-479-3207; 1-855-244-8681
Access Code: [REDACTED] 750 7713
Please join us on Slido.com using #EnergyPolicy as the event code.

Intended Audience

State lawmakers, commissioners, and staff
Policy makers engaged in state energy regulation
National associations of regulatory commissioners
Utility regulatory and government affairs personnel
Transmission planning, modelers and those responsible for sharing data
Others interested in these topics (e.g., continuous improvement champions, directors, managers)

Reference Materials:
2023-03-13 State Energy Policy Webinar
2023-03-13 ReliabilityFirst State Energy Policy Webinar March 2023 speaker bios

Internal Controls Workshop
2023-02-23 08:00 - 19:00 | Holiday Inn Independence
​Workshop 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by reception 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This interactive workshop will be comprised of lectures and working sessions focusing on the five components of the COSO Internal Controls Framework. During this workshop, we will deep dive into internal controls utilizing short lectures and collaborative group activities to facilitate an understanding of the principles behind each.
The workshop will be technical and interactive, so while it is open to PCCs and SMEs, each PCC is required to bring at least one SME. The content and scenarios will concentrate on FAC-008, CIP-005, and CIP-007 risks.
Reference Materials:
RF Internal Controls Workshop Agenda

Technical Talk with RF
2023-02-13 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual (Webex)
Agenda Topics:
CIP Themes Roundtable Discussion
Facilitator – Tom Scanlon – Managing Enforcement Counsel, RF
Panelists:

Lew Folkerth – Principal Reliability Consultant, External Affairs, RF
Tony Freeman – Principal Analyst, Risk Analysis & Mitigation, RF
Zack Brinkman – Manager, CIP Compliance Monitoring, RF
Robert Vaughn – CIP Auditor, SERC

​RF will be hosting a roundtable discussion to dive into CIP themes we have witnessed from recent audits, self-reports and outreach activities. The questions posed to our panel will focus on the themes of document management, key personnel and cyber/physical security best practices. If you have questions that you would like to submit in advance to our panel, please contact Brian Thiry. We will also be taking questions through the SLIDO (slido.com #TechTalkRF) during the live event.
This panel discussion is open to all cybersecurity professionals, including compliance personnel, internal control champions, OT/IT support including SCADA/EMS personnel, physical security specialists, leaders of these departments and anyone interested in learning about actionable ways to improve your company’s security posture.
Reference Materials
2023-02-13 Tech Talk

Technical Talk with RF
2023-01-23 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual (Webex)
Agenda Topics:
The ReliabilityFirst 2023-2027 Strategic Plan and 2023 Kickoff
Jeff Craigo – Senior Vice President, Reliability and Risk
Diane Holder – Vice President, Entity Engagement and Corporate Services

RF proudly presents our new five-year strategic plan including our strategies for addressing the biggest risks facing our footprint. Jeff and Diane will introduce the plan, plus share their aspirations for a reliable, resilient and secure 2023.
After Jeff presents the Strategic Plan, Diane will introduce herself and provide further detail around the State Outreach portion of the plan including:

Background on how it began to surface as a key area of focus for RF
The State Outreach Roadmap and plans for 2023
Our top Reliability concerns regarding some of the policies proposed/enacted

​Resource Assessments Summary
Tim Fryfogle – Principal Engineer, Engineering and System Performance

Tim will share the results of the NERC Winter Reliability Assessment, Long Term Reliability Assessment (LTRA), plus ReliabilityFirst’s Winter and LTRA Assessments.

This presentation is especially relevant for policy makers, state PUCs, Transmission Planners and anyone interested in the challenges facing our footprint from a resource planning perspective as we continue to embark on the great energy transition.

Reference Materials
2023-01-23 Tech Talk
State Outreach Update Tech Talk 1-23-2023
2023-01-23 Winter and Long Term Reliability Assessment Presentation

Technical Talk with RF
2022-12-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual (Webex)
Agenda Topics:
Inflation Reduction Act
Maria Robinson – Director, Grid Deployment Office, Department of Energy (DOE)

Maria will discuss the Inflation Reduction Act plus Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, highlighting tax credits and investment opportunities impacting the electricity sector including clean energy, expanded transmission and electrification of consumer vehicles. She will discuss opportunities, risks, challenges and opportunities as we envision what the grid may look like in the next couple of years. This presentation is especially relevant for RTOs, Transmission Owner/Operators, Generation Owner/Operators, planners, distribution providers, policy makers and anyone interested in how to get involved with all the exciting changes impacting our industry.

​Enforcement using Align
Max Reisinger – Senior Counsel, Enforcement, ReliabilityFirst

Max will walk through the self-reporting process in Align with an explanation on what RF expects to be submitted within each field. He will describe “What makes a good self-report” and why RF needs the information requested. This presentation is especially relevant for Primary and Alternate Compliance Contacts, any employees that work in Align and SMEs responsible for analyzing and working through potential noncompliances. Max will also describe how detailed self-reports with strong root cause analysis can help entities develop effective mitigation to reduce repeat noncompliances and enhance reliability and security.

Reference Materials:
2022-12-12 Tech Talk
Self Reporting in Align December 12 2022

Technical Talk with RF
2022-11-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual (Webex)
Agenda Topics:
Align Update
Anthony Jablonski – Manager, Risk Analysis and Mitigation (RAM), RF
This update is especially relevant for Primary Compliance Contacts (PCC) and their alternates who are responsible for using Align and the Secure Evidence Locker.
​Reliability Vignettes
Rich Bauer – Associate Principal Engineer, RAPA/Event Analysis, NERC

NERC has launched Reliability Vignettes, a new product aimed at capturing current operating incidents of interest and projecting the circumstances of the incidents into the future as think pieces for system planning and operating considerations.
The first vignette is live on NERC’s Event Analysis, Reliability Assessment, and Performance Analysis page, where future write-ups will also be posted on an occasional basis as interesting system occurrences are identified.

Facility Ratings Lessons Learned from Walkdowns
Mallory Carlone – Technical Auditor, Operations & Planning, RF

Mallory will be reviewing field walkdowns RF conducted throughout 2022. In addition, she will review ReliabilityFirst’s FAC-008 and FAC-003 walkdown process which will be a focus for 2023 Audit engagements. Topics will include what to expect, preferred SMEs to have on-site, location selections, time frames, lessons learned, etc. We will also discuss details around RF’s Self Certifications regarding how FAC-008 is being scoped and which entities are being targeted for those types of engagements.

This presentation is relevant for Transmission Owners, Primary Compliance Contacts and Field Operations: Vegetation, Substation and Subject Matter Experts dealing with Planning, Data and Modeling. Please forward this invite to planning, data, and modeling engineers, internal control champions and compliance personnel responsible for FAC-008 and FAC-003.​

Reference Materials:
2022-11-14 High Wind Impact – Reliability Vignette
2022-11-14 Tech Talk
FAC-003 and FAC-008 Walk Downs_14Nov2022
