On June 3, 2019, CAISO announced that its Reliability Coordinator, RC West, gained certification from NERC and is now able to offer its services to electrical balancing authorities in its areas of operation beginning on July 1. Reliability Coordinators ensure the power grids under their responsibility remain functioning reliably at all times. Duties include monitoring interconnected grids for compliance of federal and regional reliability standards, anticipate and prepare for any emergencies that may affect day-to-day operations, and leading restoration of the grid.
According to the CAISO press release, “RC West will become the Reliability Coordinator of record for 16 balancing authorities and transmission operators in California, including one in northern Mexico, starting July 1. In November, following additional review by NERC and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), the ISO anticipates that RC West will become the Reliability Coordinator of record to an additional 24 entities in the Western Interconnection.”