What's the Bright Idea with SERC

In this episode of What’s the Bright Idea with SERC, host Joe Tromba is joined by Michael Bell, Senior O&P Risk Awareness Engineer, and Ted Franks, Principal O&P Risk Awareness Engineer, to discuss internal controls and their role in supporting the reliability and security of the Bulk-Power System.

The conversation explores what internal controls are, why they matter in the electric utility industry, and how strong control programs help registered entities reduce risk, meet compliance obligations, and identify issues before they become larger problems. Listeners will gain insight into internal control assessments, the COSO framework, and best practices for building effective, repeatable, and sustainable controls.

Visit the SERC website for more information about Risk Awareness and Oversight resources: https://www.serc.org/compliance/compliance-and-enforcement/risk-awareness-and-oversight-rao/

In this episode of What’s the Bright Idea with SERC, host Joe Tromba is joined by Jermaine Green, Manager of SERC’s CIP Monitoring team, to discuss audits and the role of CIP monitoring in supporting the reliability and security of the Bulk Power System.

The conversation explores the purpose of monitoring activities, the audit process and how continuous improvement helps registered entities strengthen their compliance programs. Listeners will gain insight into how monitoring supports collaboration, identifies opportunities for improvement and contributes to the effective management of reliability and security risks.

Visit the SERC website for more information about Compliance Monitoring.

In this episode, we take a closer look at what defines good data—and why data quality is essential to decision‑making in the electric reliability industry.

Host Joseph Tromba, legal counsel at SERC, is joined by data analytics experts Mike Petramalo and Srushtee Pawar to explore how reliable, consistent, and accurate data strengthen reliability assessments, risk identification, and long‑term planning across the region.

You’ll learn:

• Why bad data can be more harmful than no data
• The four characteristics of high‑quality data: current, consistent, complete, and correct
• Why data quality is a continuous process, not a one‑time task
• How utilities and data submitters play a critical role in improving data quality
• Why strong data foundations matter even more in the age of AI

This episode is especially relevant for professionals in energy, reliability, planning, compliance, analytics, or any role that relies on data to inform critical decisions.

Be sure to note that the new SERC website is www.serc.org

In this episode of What’s the Bright Idea with SERC, host Joseph Tromba speaks with SERC experts Anaisha Jaykumar and Gaurav Karandikar about resource adequacy, including balance of generation, load, and reserves for a reliable grid. They further explore challenges grid providers face, from extreme weather and supply chain risks to rapid load growth, renewable integration, and the retirement of baseload plants. The conversation also looks at advances in forecasting, essential reliability services, and what policymakers and industry leaders need to know to ensure a resilient energy future.

SERC Reliability Corporation’s new risk-focused website, serc.org, is now live!! With a modern design, faster performance, and streamlined navigation and search, finding the tools, data, and resources you need is easier than ever! Built on your feedback, the new site is designed to evolve with your needs. 

SERC Risk Report

2024-2026 Reliability Risk Report  

NERC Risk Report

2025_RISC_ERO_Priorities_Report.pdf

Load growth is changing grid reliability planning and operations. From EVs and data centers to crypto and electrification, demand is rising faster than the infrastructure needed to support it. In this episode, Host Joe Tromba talks with SERC’s Melinda Montgomery about the drivers, the risks, and why reliability planning is now so critical.

SERC Regional Risk Report: https://tinyurl.com/aaz58srb

SERC Reliability Corporation’s new risk-focused website, serc.org, is nearly ready to launch. With a modern design, faster performance, and streamlined navigation and search, finding the tools, data, and resources you need is easier than ever! Built on your feedback, the new site is designed to evolve with your needs. We are preparing to launch soon! Stay tuned.

Host Joe Tromba sits down with Chris Holmquest, Senior Reliability and Security Advisor at SERC Reliability Corporation, for part two of their conversation exploring the evolving world of Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP). With more than four decades in the power industry, Chris shares his unique perspective on the transformation of technology, operations and security, from coal-fired power plants and control centers without personal computers (PCs) to today's complex cyber and physical security challenges. He also offers new insights into SERC's Assist Team, the integration of cyber scenarios into operator training, and why CIP remains a cornerstone of grid reliability.

NERC Glossary of Terms -https://tinyurl.com/fyuv39r4

SERC State Summit - https://tinyurl.com/2rarbhbt

SERC University (aka SERCU) is open to all employees of Registered Entities, Regional Entities, and NERC. SERC UNIVERSITY

In this first installment of a two-part conversation, host Joe Tromba sits down with Chris Holmquest, Senior Reliability and Security Advisor at SERC Reliability Corporation, to explore the evolving world of Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP). With more than four decades in the power industry, Chris shares his unique perspective on the transformation of technology, operations and security, from coal-fired power plants and control centers without personal computers (PCs) to today's complex cyber and physical security challenges. He also offers insights into SERC's Assist Team, the integration of cyber scenarios into operator training, and why CIP remains a cornerstone of grid reliability.

• NERC Glossary of Terms -https://www.nerc.com/pa/Stand/Glossary%20of%20Terms/Glossary_of_Terms.pdf
• SERC State Summit - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sercs-2025-electric-reliability-policy-summit-november-18-19th-2025-tickets-1359462612269?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp
• SERC University (aka SERCU) is open to all employees of Registered Entities, Regional Entities, and NERC. SERC UNIVERSITY 

In this episode, host Joseph Tromba is joined by Stephen Brown, Director of Cyber and Physical Security at SERC, to explore the role of cybersecurity in protecting the electric grid. As threats in the digital world evolve, safeguarding systems and data become increasingly critical; not only for personal security, but also for maintaining the reliability of our energy infrastructure. Tune in as they discuss the intersection of cybersecurity and electric reliability, why it matters and what it means for the industry today. 

In this episode, Maggie Peacock gives an overview of Artificial Intelligence and provides how it comes into play in the electric reliability space.

In this episode Ted and Pete do a deep dive into the Inverter-Based Resources Initiative. Here is NERC's Glossary of Terms for reference.