The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and IEEE recently entered an agreement to identify and launch joint initiatives on key issues, including coordination on bulk power system analysis, cyber security and the interface between NERC Reliability Standards and IEEE equipment standards.
With the transformation of the North American bulk power system, cooperation and coordination between IEEE and NERC is timely. Harmonization across standard-setting organizations, like NERC and IEEE, supports the continued reliable operation of the bulk power system. Challenges at the forefront of the industry such as system protection, power system modeling, inverter-based resources, technology integration and cyber security require close cooperation between NERC and IEEE on the jurisdictional authorities of both groups and the high reliability and security of the bulk power system.
The memorandum strengthens the relationship between IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organization advancing technology for humanity, and NERC, the independent international regulatory authority whose mission is to assure the reliability and security of the bulk power system in North America. The MOU encourages increased communication between the two organizations; promotes shared knowledge of the standards development activities of each organization; and facilitates liaisons between IEEE and NERC technical groups where possible.
The memorandum of understanding identifies priorities for initial collaboration, including geomagnetic disturbance standards, synchrophasors, essential reliability services, voltage stability and frequency response.
NERC assures the reliable operation of the North American bulk power system by promoting effective collaboration, cooperation, and communication around important risks to reliability; implementing relevant standards; and using expertise from the industry to produce outcomes and manage risks to reliability in a cost-effective manner.
