NPCC Entities: Note Changes to Control Center Operations May Require Certification Review
CISA Issued “Community Bulletin”
February 25, 2022DATE CHANGE: MRO Virtual RAM (Risk Assessment and Mitigation Process) Webinar
February 25, 2022
Summary:
A Certification is required for new Balancing Authorities (BAs), Reliability Coordinators (RCs) and/or Transmission Operators (TOPs) prior to acting in these capacities. Additionally, all existing RCs, BAs, and TOPs that plan or make certain changes to Control Center operations may require NPCC to perform a Certification Review as per Appendix 5A of the NERC Rules of Procedure. In all instances of change, NPCC recommends that the entity contact NPCC with a description and explanation of the proposed changes so that NPCC may assess the situation and concur with NERC if necessary. Similar to a compliance audit, activities associated with a Certification Review must be scheduled. NOTE: The certification requirements are not isolated to just NPCC and are applicable in each region.
Additional Discussion:
Organization Certification ensures that an entity (i.e., applicant to be an Reliability Coordinator (RC), Balancing Authority (BA), or Transmission Operator (TOP) that is not already performing the function for which it is applying to be certified as) has the tools, processes, training, and procedures to demonstrate their ability to meet the requirements or sub-requirements of all of the Reliability Standards applicable to the functions for which it is applying, thereby demonstrating the ability to become certified and then operational. The decision to certify changes to an already operating and certified Registered Entity is a collaborative decision between the affected Regional Entities and NERC. Requirements and activities for the Organization Certification Program are embodied in Section 500 (Organization Registration and Certification) and Appendices 5A and 5B of the Rules of Procedure.
Certification Review Process Key Points (entity perspective)
- A Registered Entity that requires a review of the conditions upon which their certification was granted shall complete the appropriate form and submit it to the applicable Regional Entity informal dialogue on potential certification activity is encouraged as far in advance as possible.
- An entity in a single Regional Entity reliability region shall initiate the Certification review process by completing an application (Certification review applications are provided on each Regional Entity’s website) and sending it to the Regional Entity that will manage the Certification review process.
- An entity in multiple Regional Entity reliability regions shall initiate the certification process by completing a certification application (certification applications are provided on each Regional Entity’s website), and sending it to each Regional Entity. Each Regional Entity will inform NERC of the request with a recommendation for which Regional Entity will provide leadership to manage the certification process. NERC will determine which Regional Entity shall lead review of the application.
- The Regional Entity leading the review of the application shall review the application and respond with either acceptance or a request for more information within 30 days of the receipt of the request.
Examples of changes include:
A Certification Review for previously certified entities may be triggered by the following:
- Changes to a Registered Entity’s Footprint or operational challenges (i.e., TLRs) due to the changes
- Organizational restructuring that could impact the BPS reliability
- Relocation of the control center
- Changes to Registered Entity ownership requiring major operating procedure changes
- Significant changes to JRO/CFR assignments or agreements changes
- Addition or removal of member JRO/CFR utilities or entities
- Complete replacement of a Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)/Energy Management System (EMS) system
Link:
Associated Files:
