Requirements for Network Operations in Response to New Reliability Standards Post August 14, 2003 Blackout

Mr. James T. Reilly

Principal of Reilly Associates

Abstract

The reliability of the electrical grid is a high priority concern for the federal government, utilities and telecommunications providers in these times of heightened security and blackouts. In terms of operational effectiveness, the reliability of the grid depends greatly on utility network control centers and their supporting telecommunications networks. The Northeast Blackout of 2003 moved regulators (FERC and NERC) toward new reliability requirements for utilities. This talk will examine the impact on network operations centers in response to recent NERC reliability requirements and standards that are under revision.

Bio

Mr. Reilly is an independent consultant to electric utilities, transmission companies, and reliability organizations. Most recent areas of focus are power system restoration planning, control center telecommunications systems, and reliability analysis. His latest paper on “averting grid collapse – system control and restoration in emergency conditions” appears in the July-August 2004 issue of the IEEE Power and Energy Magazine (Volume 2, Issue 4, pages 16-24). Currently, Mr. Reilly is retained by the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator to prepare a black start system restoration plan and assess the supporting telecommunications links to 35 Control Areas in the region. Mr. Reilly is a graduate of Georgetown University and Columbia Business School, and a member of the IEEE Power Engineering Society and the United Telecom Council.