Ours is a powerful purpose
When you turn on a light or plug in your phone, you probably don’t think about what’s happening behind the scenes to make that electricity available. But every second of every day, a sophisticated system is working to ensure that power is delivered safely, reliably, and efficiently across New York State. At the center of that system is the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO).
At the NYISO, we are responsible for operating the high-voltage electric grid—the backbone of the state’s power system. The electric grid moves electricity from power plants to local utilities, which then deliver it to homes and businesses. Like air traffic controllers of electricity: we do not own power lines or power plants, but we coordinate how electricity flows across the state to keep everything balanced and running smoothly.
Mission critical, wired to serve
At the heart of our mission to deliver reliable, least cost electricity is a team of dedicated professionals working behind the scenes 24/7. From system operators in the control room who respond to grid conditions in real time, to engineers and economists who model future demand and generation scenarios, to cybersecurity experts safeguarding the digital infrastructure that supports the grid—every role is essential to the greater good of safely and efficiently powering our society and economy.
Let’s take a closer look at the specific roles of the people supporting the grid.
Keeping electricity supply and demand in balance at all times
Our grid operators are highly trained professionals responsible for keeping New York’s electric grid running. One of NYISO’s most important jobs is balancing electricity supply and demand—not just daily, but minute by minute. The amount being generated must always match the amount being used. If too much electricity is produced, it can overload the system. If too little is produced, it can lead to blackouts.
Working from our control center, grid operators monitor real-time grid conditions across the state’s high-voltage transmission system, ensuring that electricity supply always matches demand. They track power flows, voltage levels, and system frequency, moment by moment, and they’re prepared to respond instantly to unexpected events like equipment failures, extreme weather disruptions, or sudden demand spikes. Their work involves coordinating with power plants, transmission owners, and neighboring grid operators to dispatch the most reliable, least-cost mix of energy resources. They also implement system contingency plans when supplies get short and issue alerts or directives when the system is under stress. In essence, system operators are the human backbone of the grid—making complex, high-stakes decisions in real time to keep the lights on for millions of New Yorkers.
Administering fair, open, and competitive electricity markets
Our organization also administers competitive wholesale electricity markets, where electricity is bought and sold like a commodity. These markets help ensure that the most efficient resources are used first, which helps keep electricity prices down for consumers. At the same time, the markets provide financial signals that encourage investment in new technologies and cleaner energy sources.
NYISO economists and market designers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the electric grid in New York by crafting innovative market structures and products that drive investment. Their work ensures that the wholesale electricity markets remain efficient, competitive, and responsive to system needs. By designing mechanisms that incentivize the development of new resources — such as wind, solar, and storage — they help attract capital to projects that are essential for decarbonization. Additionally, they are at the forefront of integrating emerging distributed energy resources and enhancing ancillary services such as voltage support, which are critical for maintaining grid reliability in a more dynamic and distributed energy landscape. Through rigorous analysis and forward-thinking design, these experts enable the market to adapt to technological advancements and policy shifts, ensuring a resilient and sustainable energy future for New York.
Planning a reliable, cleaner grid of the future
Planning teams collaborate with stakeholders to assess short and long-term reliability needs and integrate new technologies like offshore wind and battery storage. Their work clarifies market signals, informs investment decisions, and provides consumers with a grid that is both resilient and responsive. With the state shifting from a summer-peaking to a winter-peaking system, this team is at the forefront of understanding and preparing for the operational challenges that come with increased heating demand, electric vehicle adoption, and large-scale economic development.
Their rigorous forecasting and scenario analysis help anticipate future system needs, such that infrastructure and resource adequacy keep pace with rising demand. By identifying potential reliability risks and planning for contingencies, they help protect the health and safety of New Yorkers and inform policymakers about system investment needs. Their work provides the strategic insight and technical foundation necessary to navigate the grid’s evolving landscape with confidence and resilience.
Vigorous threat detection, monitoring, and intelligence coordination
Finally, a major responsibility of the Infrastructure Technology group at the NYISO is serving as a critical line of defense in protecting the reliability and security of the electric grid from cyber threats. The IT team is responsible for implementing robust cybersecurity protocols, continuously monitoring systems and threat intelligence to ensure that the systems supporting grid operations are resilient against intrusion. This team endeavors to stay ahead of evolving threats through rigorous testing, adherence to national standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection, and close coordination with state and federal agencies, utilities, and other grid operators. We uphold the highest standards of cybersecurity and actively participate in industry-wide drills and collaboration to share threat intelligence, develop best practices, and coordinate response strategies.
Our collective commitment to reliability
Reliability is at the heart of our mission. We work closely with utilities, power plant operators, and government agencies to plan for emergencies, maintain system security, and prepare for the future. Whether it’s a heatwave, a snowstorm, or a sudden equipment failure, we have systems and people in place to respond quickly and keep the grid stable.
The people who power New York at the NYISO are working behind the scenes around the clock to make sure that when you need electricity, it’s there—safely, reliably, and at the least possible cost. It’s a job that requires constant coordination, cutting-edge technology, and a deep understanding of how power flows across a complex and ever-changing grid – now and in the future.