2024 System Operator Conference #3
Securing the Grid of the Future
October 15-17, 2024
Tampa, FL
NERC-approved Continuing EducationHours (CEHs) will be awarded forsuccessful completionof thislearningactivity.Nopartialcredit.
Purpose :
• Provide SERC System Operators with a forum for networking with operators from across the SERC Region and sharing best practices • Develop SERC System Operators knowledge and skills using relevant scenarios modeled on an operator training simulator • Provide SERC System Operators with effective training in normal andemergency operations,operatorcommunicationand collaboration and situational awareness • Assist SERC System Operators in maintaining their NERC Certification through the award of approvedcontinuingeducationhours
Hotel Information
Useful Links
Questions for SERC
Speaker Bios
Target Audience:
• System Operators with responsibility for performing real-time, reliability-related tasks on the interconnected power system (Reliability Coordinator,BalancingAuthority, TransmissionOperator,and Generator Operator functions) • System control center managers,supervisors, and staff • Engineers, planners, managers, marketers, technicians, or support staff who may benefit from power system operation training
COVID Protocol:
• To ensure the safety of our attendees, we are asking everyone to observe the Local and CDC Guidelines that are in effect during the System Operator Conference (SOC). • Please note that masks are not required at the SOC's. • SERC and the SOWG will provide pads and pens for attendees located at the water stations for both the General session and the Breakout rooms. In addition, we will make masks and hand sanitizer available throughout the meeting rooms (Please see the SERC Representative at the registration desk should you need assistance with these items).
Learning Objectives
Opening Speaker :
Hotel Information
1. Deduce the primary responsibilities of System Operator to ensure reliability .
Useful Links
Questions for SERC
2. Compare the impacts of power system operations to recent changes in the industry.
Speaker Bios
Black Start Operations:
3. Recall the three categories of load as it pertains to restoration.
4. Analyze the coordination between Reliability Coordinators, Generation Operators, and Transmission Operators during restoration efforts.
5. Distinguish issues that could arise during blackout conditions and emergency situations.
Winter Storm Elliott Panel:
6. Identify strategies to enhance grid resilience due to the impacts of extreme cold weather conditions .
7. Identify methodologies for hardening critical electric utility equipment in cold climates, including the latest technological solutions and best practices for maintenance.
8. Identify emergency response protocol components specific to extreme cold weather.
9. Identify the reason timely communication of power restoration updates and a swift effective response among utility and emergency personnel, customers, and other stake holders is crucial for cold weather challenges.
10. Recall the importance of specialized cold weather hazard training for the safety of utility personnel.
Learning Objectives
NERC Standards Game:
Hotel Information
11. Identify the association of NERC Reliability Standards BAL-001-2, BAL-002-3, BAL-003-2, BAL-005-1, COM-001-3, and COM- 002, to the operations of the Bulk Electric System.
Useful Links
Questions for SERC
12. Identify the association of NERC Reliability Standards EOP-004-4, EOP-005-3, EOP-006-3, EOP-008-2, EOP-010-1, and EOP- 011-1, to the operations of the Bulk Electric System.
Speaker Bios
13. Identify the association of NERC Reliability Standards TOP-001-5, OP-002, TOP-003, TOP-010, VAR-001-5, and VAR-002, to the operations of the Bulk Electric System.
EISAC:
14. Identify current physical security threats to the reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System (BES)
15. Identify current cyber security threats to the reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System (BES)
16. Analyze steps that system operators can take to mitigate security threats to the Bulk Electric System (BES).
Simulation:
17. Analyze and collaborate to solve simulated emergency scenarios.
18. Implement operator control actions to mitigate undesirable conditions on the simulated power system and return the power system to a reliable state.
19. Determine applicable NERC Reliability Standards to RC/TOP/BA responsibilities for each scenario.
Learning Objectives
Transmission Loading Relief (TLRs):
Hotel Information
20. Recognize the purpose of the Interconnection Distribution Calculator (IDC).
Useful Links
Questions for SERC
21. Identify which operating function uses the IDC.
Speaker Bios
22. Differentiate the levels of TLRs and conditions for initiating each level.
23. Examine the IDC’s data retrieval process.
Human Performance for System Operators (HPI):
24. Identify the human performance tool used to evaluate and address error likely situations such as switching orders etc.
25. Recognize how latent organizational weaknesses impact system operations and Human Performance.
26. Recognize how Human Performance principles contribute to safe work environments.
Lessons Learned:
27. Examine the severity of the 2015 Washington D.C. Area Low-Voltage Disturbance
28. Examine key recommendations that resulted from the event analysis of the 2015 Washington D.C. Area Low-Voltage Disturbance
Agenda
Tuesday, October 1 5 , 2024 All Times are Eastern
Hotel Information
Useful Links
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Welcome, Safety, Confidentiality and Antitrust
Dave Miranda , Conference Facilitator, IncSys
Questions for SERC
Speaker Bios
Emmett Handy , Chair, System Operator Working Group, Alabama Power
Aaron Casto , Executive Director, Florida Municipal Power Pool
Opening Remarks
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Jeff Sundvick, Manager – South Region Reliability Coordination, Midcontinent Independent System Operations
Black Start Operations
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Winter Storm Elliott Panel
Valerie Carter-Ridley , Lead Engineer, Event Analysis, NERC
Freddy Garcia , Manager, Operation Analysis & Improvement, ERCOT
Travis Johnson, Senior System Operator, Santee Cooper
Melinda Montgomery , Senior Director, Engineering and Advanced Analytics, SERC Reliability Corporation
Joel Wise , Manager NERC, Regulatory & Operations Training, Transmission Operations & Power Supply, Tennessee Valley Authority Emmett Handy (Moderator) , Chair, System Operator Working Group, Alabama Power
Agenda
Tuesday, October 1 5 , 2024 All Times are Eastern
Hotel Information
Useful Links
Questions for SERC
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
Speaker Bios
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tayce Lassiter , Electrical Engineer, Louisville Gas and Electric/Kentucky Utilities Company
NERC Standards
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
E-ISAC
Haley Luis , Physical Security Analyst, E-ISAC
Elvin Ramirez , Senior Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst, E-ISAC
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Breakout Rooms - PowerSimulator®
All Attendees in Break-Out Groups
SOC Facilitator Teams
Agenda
Wednesday, October 1 6 , 2024 All Times are Eastern
Hotel Information
Useful Links
Questions for SERC
Speaker Bios
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
OTS Scenarios PowerSimulator® AM Session
All Attendees in Break-Out Groups
SOC Facilitator Teams
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
OTS Scenarios PowerSimulator® PM Session
All Attendees in Break-Out Groups
SOC Facilitator Teams
Agenda
Thursday, October 1 7 , 2024 All Times are Eastern
Hotel Information
Useful Links
Questions for SERC
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Transmission Loading Relief
Julio Bolano , Senior Reliability Coordinator, Tennessee Valley Authority
Speaker Bios
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.*
Human Performance for System Operators
LaRhonda Julien , Inspection Performance Specialist, Construction Inspection Department, Georgia Transmission Corporation
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Lessons Learned
Hassan Hamdar , Program Manager, Event Analysis, SERC Reliability Corporation
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Summary/Assessment, Closing
David Miranda , Conference Facilitator, IncSys
Emmett Handy , Chair, System Operator Working Group, Alabama Power
* Extended break at 10:00 a.m. to allow attendees to check out of the hotel, if needed.
Please remember to complete your Learning Assessment
Thank you for your participation!
Hotel Information
HOTEL INFORMATION
Hotel Information
Useful Links
Embassy Suites Tampa USF Near Busch Gardens 3705 Spectrum Blvd. Tampa, Florida 33612 813-977-7066
Questions for SERC
Speaker Bios
A reduced rate of $184.00 per night is offered to attendees. Included is a complimentary breakfast and Manager's Reception. Call 1-800-218-8712 or click this LINK to make online reservations . The SERC room block will be open until Friday, August 16, 2024, or until the block is sold out, whichever comes first.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION / PARKING:
The Embassy Suites Tampa USF Near Busch Gardens does not offer complimentary shuttle transportation to and from the Tampa International Airport. For guests that may need additional transportation, please click the LINK for ground transportation options to the Embassy Suites Tampa USF Near Busch Gardens.
Self-parking at Embassy Suites Tampa USF Near Busch Gardens is complimentary. Valet parking is not available.
Useful Links
Hotel Information
Topic
Purpose
Useful Links
Questions for SERC
Registered Entity Forum
If you have a question you would like to submit anonymously, you may do so by contacting one of the RegisteredEntityForumSteeringCommittee members.
Speaker Bios
CIP REF Steering Committee Members
O&P REF Steering Committee Members
Resource Library
eLearning Modules, COVID-19, Hurricane and Cold Weather Preparedness, Supply Chain Resources. Past and present newsletters.
Newsroom
Events Calendar
Register for SERC ’ s upcomingoutreachevents
Acronym List
IndustryAcronym Reference Index
Questions for SERC
• •
Q&A Process
Entity Assistance
Hotel Information
Topic
Useful Links
Questions for SERC
•
General inquiries / FAQ
Speaker Bios
• Seminar & W ebinar TopicSuggestions • Media inquiries • SERC Membership • SERC Committees • SERC Compliance & Committee Portal/Committee related issues
Support@serc1.org
• Registration and CertificationIssues • Compliance monitoringmethods: o Self-Certification o Self-Reportsubmittals o Compliancedata submittals • Enforcementand Mitigation o Mitigation Plan submittals • SERC Compliance& CommitteePortal-Compliancerelated issues
SERCComply@serc1.org
• Reliability Assessment data reporting • Reliability Assessmentforms • Annual Voting Rights • Reliability Data Reporting Portal
RAStaff@serc1.org
• IndustrySubjectMatterExpert(ISME) Program • Submittingan ISME application
ISME@serc1.org
• •
Situational Awareness
SAEA@serc1.org
Events Analysis
Speaker Biographies
Aaron Casto – Florida Municipal Power Pool Aaron Casto is an experienced leader in the electric industry with over 25 years in operations, specializing in fleet transition, renewable integration, and ensuring system reliability. As Executive Director of the Florida Municipal Power Pool (FMPP), he oversees critical 24/7 operations, NERC compliance, and strategic initiatives for multiple municipal utilities, ensuring resource adequacy and efficient energy management. Previously, Aaron held senior roles at Midcontinent ISO (MISO), where he managed multi-billion-dollar energy markets and led digital transformations to enhance system reliability and customer responsiveness. His broad expertise includes resource planning, market design, regulatory compliance, and driving operational excellence through cross-functional leadership.
Emmett Handy – Alabama Power Company Emmett Handy is a Transmission Control Center Supervisor in the Power Delivery Operations department of Alabama Power Company. His team provides initial and continuing training to hundreds of learners in transmission operations. Through their NERC Continuing Education Provider credential, they deliver more than 3400 hours of continuing education annually across the Southern Company footprint, through classroom and computer-based learning activities. His team also trains field and fleet operations personnel, develops enterprise solution applications, and develops situational awareness control room and storm center displays. Emmett is a NERC certified Reliability Coordinator and has over forty years of combined generation and system operations experience. Before joining the Alabama Power Company Transmission Control Center training department, he worked for 13 years in the generation organization at Alabama Power Company, where he worked his way up through the positions of electrician in Mobile, to an Instrumentation and Controls Technician, and Electrical/Instrumentation instructor. For more than 11 years he has been a member of the SERC System Operator Working Group and for the past two years, he has been part of the leadership team of the SOWG and currently serves as Chair. He also serves as SOWG representative on the SERC Operating Committee.
Speaker Biographies
David Miranda – IncSys A 30- year decorated Navy Veteran, with a Master’s Degree in Human Resources with an emphasis in Program Management. David works for IncSys as the Power4Vets Program Manager, Recruiter and Placement Agent, and NERC CE Enrollment Administrator. Responsible for the day-to-day management of the Power4Vets program, recruiting and screening eligible Veterans, and facilitating their placement within the utility industry. Since the Power4Vets program's inception in early 2011, more than 400+ Veterans have benefitted from the program and have been placed into career jobs in the utility industry all across the United States. Over 150+ of these Veterans have achieved NERC Certification, with many others in the training pipeline waiting to obtain NERC Certification. IncSys and the Power4Vets program were recognized at the 2013 Electric Power Industry Conference, in New Orleans, Louisiana as part of their “Veterans in Power Industry” initiative and were presented the “Faraday Award” for these efforts. David is also responsible for the administrative enrollments of all the System Operators who have desired to use IncSys Academy as their vendor of choice for NERC CE Training Courses and also handles all of the east coast PowerSimulator accounts.
Jeff Sundvick – Midcontinent Independent System Operator
Jeff Sundvick has 23 years of combined power operations experience in Transmission Operations, Reliability Coordination, Training and Leadership. Jeff joined MISO in February 2023, and currently serves as Manager of Reliability Coordination, MISO South Region.
Jeff’s background and experience includes roles as a Transmission System Operator, Transmission Scheduling Operator, Sr. Reli ability Coordinator, Shift Lead, and Training Supervisor.
Jeff holds a B.S. Degree in Technology Management, A.A.S. in Power Plant Technology and is also a graduate of U.S. DOE Executive Leadership program.
Speaker Biographies
Valerie Carter Ridley – NERC
Ms. Carter-Ridley is currently a Lead Engineer in the NERC Events Analysis Group. Her primary responsibilities support the evaluation of bulk power system events to determine the cause of the events and providing lessons learned to the industry.
Prior to joining NERC, Ms. Carter-Ridley was a Transmission System Operations Shift Manager for PECO Energy, in Philadelphia, PA; a subsidiary of Exelon. As a shift manager, she managed and directed the operation of the PECO transmission system during normal and emergency conditions while maintaining safety and reliability. Her prior responsibilities included project management, nuclear plant system engineer and field engineer. Ms. Carter- Ridley has her master’s degree from Drexel University and her bachelor’s from the University of Delaware; both in Electrical Engineering. Ms. Carter -Ridley is a PJM certified system operator and a NERC certified Reliability Operator.
Freddy Garcia – ERCOT Freddy Garcia is the Manager of Operations Analysis and Improvement at ERCOT. He has been with ERCOT for 20 years in various roles including supporting, tunning and enhancing Grid Applications, as well as evaluating, monitoring and improving the convergence between ERCOT Real-Time and Forward Markets.
Freddy currently leads the transmission Grid Analysis team and the ERCOT Event Analysis team. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
Speaker Biographies
Travis Johnson – Santee Cooper Travis Johnson started at Santee Cooper in March of 1999 as an E&I technical contractor while attending school at night for a degree in Electronics Technology. In June of 2000 he was hired full time in the Transmission Substation Maintenance department as a Technician. He transferred to the System Protection and Control (Relay) department in November of 2001 and worked there until August of 2008, when he entered the Energy Control Center.
Travis earned his RC certification and has worked all three functions in the Control Center. In 2018, he was promoted to Senior System Operator.
Melinda Montgomery – SERC Reliability Corporation Melinda Montgomery serves as the Sr. Director of Engineering & Advanced Analytics for SERC. Her teams oversee SERC’s data col lection and analytics, as well as working with stakeholders in developing planning models and performing engineering studies and assessments through SERC’s tec hnical committees and subgroups.
Her background includes 20 years of industry experience in system operations and planning.
Speaker Biographies
Joel Wise – Tennessee Valley Authority
Joel Wise is the Manager of NERC, Regulatory & Operations Training for the Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga, TN. Joel's group is responsible for the initial and continuing training for over 70 System Operators at TVA. His group also provides initial and continuing clearance switching training for TVA field personnel. Joel has over 35 years experience in the Bulk Electric System. He began at TVA in 2001 as a Balancing Authority System Operator. After three years he moved into the Reliability Coordinator role. Eventually Joel managed the TVA Reliability Coordinator for six years. After two years in the NERC Compliance group Joel moved into his current position in 2018. Prior to TVA Joel worked for Duke Energy Carolinas for 13 years. Joel began in 1988 as a Generator Operator at conventional and pumped storage hydro plants. After eight years he transitioned to System Operator in Duke's Control Center in Charlotte, NC where he performed Balancing Authority, Interchange Authority and Transmission Service Provider functions.
Joel is currently a member of the SERC System Operator Working Group and the NATF Operator Training Practice Group Core Team. Joel holds a Bachelor Of Applied Science Degree in Energy Management from Bismarck State College.
Speaker Biographies
Tayce McCune Lassiter – Louisville Gas and Electric/Kentucky Utilities Company Tayce Lassiter is currently a transmission operations support engineer at Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities Company. She joined the LG&E/KU team and became a NERC certified System Operator in 2017. Tayce is responsible for significant compliance, training, and documentation updates. She supports the Operator Training Program as an SME for compliance training, as the instructional designer for eLearning, as well as training new personnel for NERC certification. In addition, she supports the training team as an in-person instructor. Tayce earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Engineering with a specialization in Electrical Engineering from the University of Louisville. She has over 15 years of experience in adult learning including a published thesis in conjunction with UofL, Practical knowledge in Electrical Engineering: Applying Lessons from Industry to the Classroom. Tayce is currently the Vice-Chairperson of the SERC SOWG. She is also Chairperson of the Midwest Winter Training Team, a multi-corporate committee focused on problem solving and custom course development to address industry concerns. Tayce is a Core Team member of the North American Tr ansmission Forum’s Operator Training Practices Group. She is a member of WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) and WINergy (Women in Energy).
Tayce lives near Louisville. She has great enthusiasm for her family, engineering, working on her classic car and crafting.
Haley Luis – E-ISAC Haley Luis is a Physical Security Analyst at the E-ISAC with a strong background in grid security. With previous experience as both an Associate Analyst and Supervisor at a combined gas and electric utility’s Security Control Center, she has played a crucial role in ensuring the su ccessful execution of critical daily operations. Her work includes the creation of intelligence products and refinement of standard operating procedures, where her contributions have significantly improved security protocols and operational efficiency.
Speaker Biographies
Elvin Ramirez – E-ISAC Elvin Ramirez is a Senior Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst at the E-ISAC with over 17 years of experience focused in the areas of Threat Intelligence, Threat Analysis, Security Engineering, Security Architecture, and Incident Response. Elvin joined the E-ISAC Threat Intelligence team in August of 2022 with the goal of assisting the electricity sector with reducing risk and improving cyber situational awareness through information sharing and analysis. Current responsibilities include research on the evolving cyber threat landscape, supporting electricity sector member requests for information, and contributing to the E- ISAC’s mission to spread broad cyber situational awareness. Prior to joining the E-ISAC, Elvin worked as part of the Cyber Security Fusion Center and ICS Security Engineering team at Tampa Electric company (TECO) where, as an Architect, he was responsible for planning, collection, triage, production, and dissemination of Cyber Threat Intelligence tactical and operational deliverables and providing Architecture review of the Operation Technology environments. Elvin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information System (CIS) from Saint Leo University and a master’s degree i n Cybersecurity - Threat Intelligence from University of South Florida (USF). Elvin also holds several industry recognizable SANS Institute certifications and Vendor Specific certifications.
Julio Bolano – Tennessee Valley Authority Julio Bolano has been with Tennessee Valley Authority since May of 2000. He started his career with the company as a Specialist Transmission Operator and is currently a Senior Reliability Coordinator. Julio has an A.A.S. degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology from Chattanooga State Technical Community College and completed the Tennessee Valley Authority Transmission System Operator Program in 2001.
Julio serves on several industry committees. He is the chair of the Interchange Distribution Calculator Working Group (IDCWG) and a member of the NERC Credential Maintenance Working Group (CMWG).
Speaker Biographies
LaRhonda Julien - Georgia Transmission Corporation LaRhonda Julien is the Inspection Performance Specialist for the Construction Inspection department at Georgia Transmission Corporation – a not-for-profit utility company that connects power plants to local electric member cooperatives by planning, designing, building, and maintaining the high-voltage power grid infrastructure throughout Georgia. Her major duties involve human and organization performance improvement, overseeing business continuity and change management processes, knowledge transfer, and strategic planning along with coordinating capital construction projects and environmental protection activities. She chairs the company’s Human Performance Strategic Team. LaRhonda earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology with a minor in Business Management and Master of Science in Industrial- Organizational Psychology from the University of Phoenix. She received a Lean Six Sigma green belt from the University of Georgia. She is a Herrmann HBDI Certified Practitioner. LaRhonda has professional memberships with the American Psychological Association (APA), APA’s Socie ty for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE), IEEE’s Power and Energy Society (Atl anta Chapter Vice Chair), CIGRE, the International Erosion Control Association, the Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals, and the American S ociety of Safety Professionals. She also serves as a member of the North American Transmission Forum’s Human Performance Core Team. She is an inducted member of the National Society of Leadership Success. LaRhonda has presented for many organizations via conferences, webinars, and on-site events. She has been featured on podcasts and in magazines and blog spaces.
LaRhonda lives in the suburbs of Atlanta. She is an avid runner and an ambassador for local non-profits.
Hassan Hamdar – SERC Reliability Corporation Hassan Hamdar joined SERC in July of 2019 after the transition of FRCC into SERC. Hassan worked in various roles at FRCC for over 11 years. His main focus at FRCC was event analysis and situational awareness but he was also responsible for misoperations reporting and system operator training. Hassan has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Florida and a NERC Certified System Operator.
ThankYou
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Questions concerning meeting content - Marty Sas or Todd Curl Questions concerning registration and hotel accommodations - Shan Fox
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