By Amanda Durish Cook

SERC Reliability Corp. named MISO the winner of its President’s Award, citing its management of a record summer load, compliance with CIP standards and resolution of seams issues.

The award is presented annually to companies recognized for electric reliability excellence.

“MISO’s mission is to ensure reliability at the lowest possible cost for the customers in our region,” said CEO John Bear, who accepted the award Feb. 2 at the SERC CEO Summit. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees to deliver on that mission.”

According to MISO, the award acknowledged the RTO’s “commitment to reliability and its willingness to share best practices and lessons learned with fellow SERC members.” MISO said the award is attributable to multiple achievements in the MISO South region, notably handling a record summer peak in 2015, compliance with CIP version 5 requirements and successful settlement of the SPP transmission flows dispute. (See FERC OKs MISO-SPP Transmission Settlement.)

One of NERC’s eight regional electric reliability councils, SERC oversees reliability, adequacy and critical infrastructure of the bulk power supply system in 16 Central and Southeastern states.

Virginia Electric and Power Co. won the award last year, following South Carolina Electric & Gas’ win in 2014.