NERC Regulatory Compliance

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Do you comply with the NERC reliability standards?

All NERC-registered entities must comply with the applicable North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards.  With the recent increase in the complexity of the Bulk Electric System (BES) and addition of new technologies, NERC has been proactively enforcing existing requirements, introducing new requirements, and adjusting the frequency of compliance reporting. By federal law, NERC has the authority to monitor and assess a company’s compliance status and issue sanctions and/or fines for non-compliance.

The EPE compliance team brings decades of experience in closely monitoring NERC activities and assisting clients with ensuring their assets meet NERC compliance regulations. Our NERC compliance services range from completing complex technical assessments and power system studies to tracking filing deadlines and preparing the documentation required of regulatory agencies. EPE’s compliance services span from developing and managing comprehensive compliance programs, and providing audit support. Our goal is to allow our clients to focus on their customers and growth while we focus on the technicalities of ensuring NERC compliance.

Services

We tailor our services to ensure your project’s success, and we consider ourselves an extension of your team.

Technical/Engineering Support

  • Resource and Demand Balancing (BAL)
  • Facilities Design, Connections, and Maintenance (FAC)
  • Modeling, Data, and Analysis (MOD)
    • MOD-025-2
    • MOD-026-1
    • MOD-027-1
    • MOD-032-1
  • Protection and Control (PRC)
    • PRC-019-2
    • PRC-024-2
    • PRC-025-2
    • PRC-026-1
  • Transmission Operations (TOP)
  • Transmission Planning
    • TPL-001-4
    • TPL-007-1
  • Voltage and Reactive Power Capabilities (VAR)
  • FERC Filing
  • Critical Infrastructure Protection
    • CIP-014-2

Compliance Program Management Services

  • Complete NERC compliance assistance with all NERC Reliability Standards
  • Comprehensive Gap Analysis
  • Mock Audits
  • Total Audit Support
  • NERC Compliance Program Development
  • NERC Compliance Program Management
  • Committee, Working Group, and Task Force Representation
  • CIP Low-, Medium-, and High-Impact Analysis and Rating Support
  • NERC Compliance Procedure Development and Management
  • Due Diligence Analyses
  • NERC Registration and Certification Support
  • Event Analysis and Root Cause Analysis

NERC & Regulatory Compliance Resources

Webinar: How to Prepare for and Respond to NERC Audits

Webinar: How to Prepare for and Respond to NERC Audits

A panel of NERC & Regulatory Compliance experts from Electric Power Engineers, including JC Culberson, Lori Thompson, and Darrel Grumman, gathered on December 1st for a panel discussion sharing actionable steps that you can take to prepare for and respond to a...

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Case Study

Pioneer Trail Wind Project

EPE evaluated the performance of the Pioneer Trail Wind Project to determine its compliance with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT), High Voltage Ride Through (HVRT), Low Frequency Ride Through (LFRT), and High Frequency Ride Through (HFRT) requirements for wind generating resources. The project must meet the LVRT/HVRT and LFRT/HFRT requirements set forth in NERC Standard PRC-024 for the Eastern Interconnection.

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NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection Program Management & Gap Analysis

Managing your NERC Compliance Program is a challenging and ongoing process that includes many moving parts even for the most basic registered entity. Failing an audit or having to self-report non-compliance can be arduous, confusing, and even expensive in the way of fines or program modification or both. It does not have to be this way—whether you operate dozens of generation assets or hundreds of miles of transmission lines, navigating NERC CIP Compliance can be a straightforward and manageable process.

AT EPE, we have put together a few quick tips that you can review right now to get a better understanding of your NERC CIP Compliance program and where there could be some potential gaps or areas for improvement.

Some questions you should consider:

    • Do you have your critical assets documented?
    • Do you have internal controls and security protocols documented?
    • Would you consider your security infrastructure to be strong?
    • Do your site personnel know how to assess impact ratings of events?
    • Does your program provide frequent and applicable training on CIP requirements?

If you answered no to any of the questions above, Electric Power Engineers can help. Knowing you could have program gaps is a valuable tool on its own; you can’t fix something you’re not aware of. Our team of industry professionals are experts in identifying common-sense solutions that will provide you with comprehensive support.

If you answered yes to all the questions above, you likely have a solid foundation for your program. And as those familiar with cyber security know, feeling safe and secure can be the biggest challenge. EPE has the ability to provide comprehensive gap analysis, giving your program that critical third-party, unbiased program review.

No matter the size or complexity of your program, our team has the experience to support your organization in developing procedures and policies that both meet and prove compliance. Our team can help identify, organize, and draft necessary evidence and audit materials to strengthen your compliance health. Discuss your NERC CIP compliance today by speaking to your account manager or scheduling a consult.

energy engineering experts

NERC Compliance Program

As a full-service project execution firm that offers a wide range of services and expertise, EPE is uniquely qualified to deliver a comprehensive NERC CIP program and gap analysis. Some of the largest and most reputable generation owners have trusted our consultative services to support their NERC and regulatory compliance programs.

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NERC Operations & Planning (O&P)

Are you new to NERC? Or maybe you have been a NERC registered entity for some time? New or existing, you have come to the right place! Let the EPE compliance team help you meet your NERC compliance obligations. We offer services to help your organization with NERC O&P program development and management, gap analysis, audit support, and much more.  

NERC O&P Program Development

Tier 1
  • 30-45 min NERC Overview  
  • Identify Applicable Standards 
  • Identify, collect and review evidence  
  • Draft Policies 
  • Draft RSAWs 
  • NERC Registration and Certification Support 
  • Weekly status calls  
  • Document Repository  
Tier 2
  • Tier 1+
  • NERC Compliance Procedure Development   
    • EOP-004 – Event Reporting Operating Plan  
    • EOP-011 – Emergency Operation Plan  
    • FAC-003 – Vegetation Management Plan 
    • PRC-002 – Disturbance Monitoring Process  
    • PRC-004 – Protection System Mis-Operation Identification and Correction Process 
  • PRC-005 – Protection System Maintenance Plan 
  • PRC-019 Verification of generating unit or plant capabilities, voltage regulating controls and protections process 
  • PRC-024Frequency and voltage protection settings for Generation  
  • Resources process 
  • PRC-025List of applicable Relays from Table 1 
  • PRC-026 – Setting and evaluation of load-responsive protection relays during stable power swings process 
  • PRC-027Process for developing new and revised protection system settings 
Tier 3
  • Tier 1, 2+
  • NERC Technical Studies
    • Modeling, Data, and Analysis (MOD) MOD-025-2, MOD-026-1, MOD-027-1, MOD-032-1
    • Protection and Control (PRC) PRC-019-2, PRC-024-2, PRC-025-2, PRC-026-1
    • Transmission Planning TPL-001-4, TPL-007-1
    • Voltage and Reactive Power Capabilities (VAR)

NERC O&P Program Development

  • Annual review of evidence, policy, procedure and RSAW
  • Periodic Data Submittals (PRC-004, EOP-004, Section 800, Section 1600 Reporting)
  • Regional Representation (Committee, working group, task force representation)

Gap Analysis

  • Document analysis of existing NERC programs
  • Identify opportunities for improvement, offer recommendations, where applicable

Audit Support

  • Mock Audits to prepare for upcoming audits 
  • Pre and post audit support  
  • Self-Certification and Spot Check support 

How can we help you?

Discuss your project with our power and energy experts.