Events

Grid Reliability, Security, and Risk Assessment

NARUC Professional Development
Track: Electricity

December 15, 16, 17, 2026, 2-4 pm Eastern each day, Live online

Electricity is a key component of the fabric of modern society and safeguarding the reliability and security of the bulk power system is the core mission of the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) Enterprise, comprised of NERC and the six Regional Entities. Grid Reliability, Security, and Risk Assessment explores how the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) coordinates with state regulators and regional entities to ensure bulk power reliability, standards, security, inverter-based resources, large load interconnections, risk mitigation, and security and threat sharing. It provides an understanding of the ERO Enterprise model. Attendees will learn about the governance and makeup of the ERO Enterprise, how it develops mandatory reliability standards for entities powering the bulk power system, and its efforts to continually assess the health and reliability of the grid. The course explores how NERC, with oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), is adapting to the large-scale integration of renewables and energy storage into the energy portfolio, the advent of large load interconnections, power plant performance during storm events, and how it is revising its existing reliability standards regime to accommodate those evolving situations.

Fees

NARUC State, Associate, and Federal Members: $265
Other State, Federal Government, and International Agencies / NASUCA Members / Academia: $465
All Others: $665

Registration to open soon

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will understand how to:

  • Differentiate bulk power system (BPS) reliability features and importance from distribution systems. Analyze the legal framework, NERC governance, FERC oversight, and jurisdictional relationships with state commissions.
  • Explain how NERC and the ERO Enterprise assure BPS reliability and security.
  • Evaluate the role of the E-ISAC in securing the grid against evolving threats.
  • Assess BPS conditions using the Long-Term Reliability Assessment (LTRA), seasonal assessments, and regional risk metrics.
  • Apply key modeling assumptions, reliability definitions, and evolving energy sufficiency approaches to risk analysis.
  • Outline the development, implementation, and enforcement processes for Reliability Standards.
  • Mitigate BPS risks related to inverter-based resources (IBRs), large load interconnections, and gas-electric interdependencies.
  • Understand systemic BPS planning and operational risks presented by large computational loads.

Course Outline

Day 1: Role, Functions, and Enforcement Power of NERC

  • Examine NERC's authority, governance structure, and the missions of Regional Entities.
  • Explore how NERC sets Mandatory Reliability Standards and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards.
  • Review compliance and enforcement processes.
  • Analyze risk assessment and performance analysis methods.
  • Investigate security and threat sharing alongside the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC).
  • Assess how to measure and evaluate system reliability.

Day 2: The Reliability Mission & Grid Risk Assessments

  • Identify key responsibilities for assessing seasonal and long-term reliability, adequacy, and risks.
  • Review NERC’s Reliability Assessment and Performance Analysis (RAPA), long-term planning, and operational strategies.
  • Examine the Long Term Reliability Assessment (LTRA) methodology and planned enhancements.
  • Analyze the shift from capacity-based resource adequacy to energy-based approaches for modern grids.
  • Evaluate past bulk power system events and new reliability initiatives.

Day 3: Evolving Reliability Needs of Inverter-Based Resources, Large Computational Load Entities, and Key Initiatives

  • Address emerging reliability challenges including large loads, gas-electric interdependencies, and energy sufficiency.
  • Analyze recent grid disturbances and the resulting FERC Order 901 updates for inverter-based resources.
  • Explore the integration challenges of large computational loads in bulk power system planning and operations.