If you are new to the industry or simply want to brush up on the basics, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) consider the recently released Reliability Primer a gift. The comprehensive manual not only provides an overview of the FERC’s role in overseeing the reliable operation of the power grid, it provides a great overview of the electric power system. It should be required reading for electric utility employees, especially new hires and those with legal or regulatory responsibilities. This manual helps newcomers develop foundational knowledge in an industry riddled with acronyms and jargon. Its title, Reliability Primer, could very well have been Electricity 101 and 102.
Starting on page 10, the Primer begins with the basics, providing a detailed discussion about the three main functions of the electric system; generation, transmission and distribution. In the discussion regarding generation, the Primer explains the various types of power plants, ranging from thermal to renewables such as wind and solar. Data on energy sources is also provided. With the fracking boom, it is not surprising that natural gas is the leader with coal and nuclear rounding out the top three fuel sources.
If you want to understand the FERC’s authority under the Federal Power Act (FPA), section III of the Primer provides a detailed discussion. It explains the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the FERC’s implementation of Section 215 of the FPA. The reader will gain an understanding of the FERC’s authority and oversight in the development and enforcement of mandatory reliability standards for the nation’s bulk power grid. The FERC states the Primer is written to be used as a traditional text or reference manual and I agree.