Which standard-setting organization is responsible for enforcing reliability standards in North America?

The organization responsible for enforcing reliability standards in North America is NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation). NERC plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability of the bulk electric system by developing and enforcing mandatory reliability standards, which apply to all entities involved in the electric power system. This includes transmission operators, generation owners, and other stakeholders within the industry.

NERC not only establishes these standards but also monitors compliance and takes enforcement actions when necessary to maintain the reliability of the electric grid. This regulatory oversight is essential for preventing blackouts and ensuring a stable power supply across North America.

The other organizations listed, such as EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), and ISO (Independent System Operator), serve important roles in the electric power industry, but they do not enforce reliability standards in the same manner as NERC. EPRI focuses more on research and development, IEEE is known for its technical standards and professional networking, while ISO manages the electricity market and grid operations within specific regions but does not have the authority to enforce standards as NERC does.