The North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC) hosted GridEx VII, a biennial exercise event that explores North America’s grid security. Exercise attendees and observers included electricity asset owners and operators, independent system operators, Canadian and United States federal, and state/provincial and local government officials. In April 2024 the GridEx VII Public Report was released which outlines lessons learned and recommendation from GridEx VII. These recommendations primarily focus on enhancing future GridEx events, exercise scenarios, and facilitation. Additionally, they address considerations for exercise participants to improve energy emergency response.
Several State Energy Offices had an opportunity to participate in the 2023 event. Ben Bolton, Senior Energy Programs Administrator of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conversation reflected on the event stating, “The State Energy Office, as the lead for Emergency Support Function 12 for Energy, naturally serves as a catalyst with the utility sector during emergencies. Participating in GridEx VII deepened those channels with behind-the-scene insights into the Tennessee Valley Authority’s emergency operations. By working together now, we become better prepared for the emergencies we face tomorrow.”