The Imperial Irrigation District successfully completed a reliability compliance audit as a registered energy balancing authority, the California public power utility said on May 20.
The Western Energy Coordinating Council conducted the audit. As a registered balancing authority and transmission operator, IID is on a three-year audit cycle due to the critical role the District plays in real-time operations and maintaining grid reliability. IID is one of eight balancing authorities in California.
The audit is part of the oversight program established by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) to ensure entities like IID manage reliability and security risks.
“We are pleased to have successfully passed this important audit of our power operations," said IID Chairwoman Gina Dockstader. “This indicates that IID is doing its best to deliver reliable power while managing our security risks to protect the power system and our customers.”
"Successfully completing the audit reflects IID’s continued commitment to operating a reliable and secure power system. It highlights the coordination across departments and the strength of IID’s internal compliance program," it said.
“As a balancing authority, these audits are a major undertaking and a key part of maintaining trust with regulators and ensuring the District meets our responsibilities to the broader grid and the communities we serve,” said Tino Zaragoza, IID’s Reliability Compliance Officer.
WECC is one of six regional entities under NERC and is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance within the Western Interconnection, which includes IID.
The audit focused on selected standards from both operations and planning and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) areas.
WECC selects standards for review based on a risk assessment process, with an emphasis on how entities are mitigating reliability risks through effective internal controls.
