1. Is the Level 3 Alert enforceable under NERC Reliability Standards?

No. The Level 3 Alert is not a mandatory Reliability Standard under NERC enforcement. However, it is a strongly recommended action intended to prevent future IBR-related disturbances by improving system modeling and performance verification.

2. What are the consequences of not complying with this alert?

While there are no formal penalties under Section 215 of the Federal Power Act, failure to respond could lead to negative evaluations and potential gaps in system reliability planning and regulatory perception.

3. Are these modeling requirements applicable only to new IBR projects?

No. The NERC alert encourages all entities to review and update models for existing inverter-based resources, not just new interconnections, to ensure accurate system behavior during disturbances.

4. What type of documentation must Generator Owners (GOs) provide?

Generator Owners must submit and retain: Validation reports comparing modeled vs. field behavior Firmware versioning history Parameter mappings Protection settings Conformity assessments showing alignment between studied and installed equipment

5. Will these requirements influence future Reliability Standards?

Yes. The collected data and practices will inform upcoming Standard Authorization Requests (SARs), specifically updates to FAC-001 (Facility Interconnection Requirements) and FAC-002 (Facility Interconnection Studies).

6. How should compliance be reported?

Entities must submit their responses using the NERC Alert System, including acknowledgment and official documentation from authorized personnel.

7. Does this alert apply only to U.S.-based entities?

No. While U.S. entities are the primary audience, Canadian generator owners, planners, and transmission operators are also encouraged to voluntarily adopt the alert's guidance, as system reliability is regionally interconnected.

8. What is the core risk being addressed by this alert?

The key issue is the increasing frequency of disturbances caused by poorly modeled or unvalidated IBRs. These events can propagate grid instability if not addressed through coordinated modeling and benchmarking practices.

9. Which modeling types are involved in this alert?

The alert references multiple model types: EMT (Electromagnetic Transient) models Positive Sequence Phasor Domain (PSPD) models Standard dynamic library models These must be validated against real-time operational data.

10. What is the expected role of OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers)?

OEMs are expected to: Provide detailed validation and benchmarking documentation Assist Generator Owners with control parameter settings Supply and update firmware-related data and specifications

NERC Alert 3: IBR Performance & Modeling Requirements

A Coordinated Electric System Interconnection Review—the utility’s deep-dive on technical and cost impacts of your project.

Challenge: Frequent false tripping using conventional electromechanical relays
Solution: SEL-487E integration with multi-terminal differential protection and dynamic inrush restraint
Result: 90% reduction in false trips, saving over $250,000 in downtime

Issued on May 20, 2025, this NERC Level 3 Alert outlines critical responsibilities for Transmission Owners (TOs), Transmission Planners (TPs), Planning Coordinators (PCs), and Generator Owners (GOs) to improve the modeling, validation, and performance of inverter-based resources (IBRs). As grid reliability increasingly depends on accurate IBR integration, this advisory emphasizes transparent interconnection criteria, validated models, and coordinated planning practices across the electric power industry.

Entity	Key Actions	Acknowledgment Deadline	Full Response Due	Implementation Timeline
TO	Update interconnection criteria with IBR specs	May 27, 2025	August 18, 2025	Self-determined (asked: 2025–2027)
TP/PC	Update planning criteria, model studies, and validate performance	May 27, 2025	August 18, 2025	Self-determined (asked: 2025–2027)
GO	Ensure accurate IBR models, manage data and changes, perform benchmarking	May 27, 2025	August 18, 2025	Self-determined (asked: 2025–2027)

1. Is the Level 3 Alert enforceable under NERC Reliability Standards?
No. The Level 3 Alert is not a mandatory Reliability Standard under NERC enforcement. However, it is a strongly recommended action intended to prevent future IBR-related disturbances by improving system modeling and performance verification.
2. What are the consequences of not complying with this alert?
While there are no formal penalties under Section 215 of the Federal Power Act, failure to respond could lead to negative evaluations and potential gaps in system reliability planning and regulatory perception.
3. Are these modeling requirements applicable only to new IBR projects?
No. The NERC alert encourages all entities to review and update models for existing inverter-based resources, not just new interconnections, to ensure accurate system behavior during disturbances.
4. What type of documentation must Generator Owners (GOs) provide?
Generator Owners must submit and retain:

Validation reports comparing modeled vs. field behavior
Firmware versioning history
Parameter mappings
Protection settings
Conformity assessments showing alignment between studied and installed equipment
5. Will these requirements influence future Reliability Standards?
Yes. The collected data and practices will inform upcoming Standard Authorization Requests (SARs), specifically updates to FAC-001 (Facility Interconnection Requirements) and FAC-002 (Facility Interconnection Studies).
6. How should compliance be reported?
Entities must submit their responses using the NERC Alert System, including acknowledgment and official documentation from authorized personnel.
7. Does this alert apply only to U.S.-based entities?
No. While U.S. entities are the primary audience, Canadian generator owners, planners, and transmission operators are also encouraged to voluntarily adopt the alert's guidance, as system reliability is regionally interconnected.
8. What is the core risk being addressed by this alert?
The key issue is the increasing frequency of disturbances caused by poorly modeled or unvalidated IBRs. These events can propagate grid instability if not addressed through coordinated modeling and benchmarking practices.
9. Which modeling types are involved in this alert?
The alert references multiple model types:

EMT (Electromagnetic Transient) models
Positive Sequence Phasor Domain (PSPD) models
Standard dynamic library models

These must be validated against real-time operational data.
10. What is the expected role of OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers)?
OEMs are expected to:

Provide detailed validation and benchmarking documentation
Assist Generator Owners with control parameter settings
Supply and update firmware-related data and specifications

In 1995, Sonny Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois. But degrees don't build legacies — action does.

For three decades, he has worked the power industry from every side of the table: 16 years as a utility engineer at Exelon/Commonwealth Edison; generation leadership across hydroelectric, industrial steam turbine, and a 9 GW renewable fleet; NERC Regional Entity Senior Compliance Engineer and Audit Team Lead, auditing some of the nation's largest utilities; and testing and commissioning lead on equipment up to 765 kV — the very top of the North American grid.Utility. Generator. Regulator. Consultant. Few engineers have seen all four seats. Fewer still have sat in them.

His experience spans nuclear, hydro, conventional generation, renewables, oil and gas, mining — and today's data centers, where he is authoring a three-book series on data center design. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in six states and a Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida (Unlimited EC) — he doesn't just design the work; he's qualified to stand behind its execution.Today, as Founder and CEO of Keentel Engineering, Sonny leads a nationwide team of engineers delivering substation design, power system studies, NERC compliance, and commissioning — done right, coast to coast.Three decades. Every side of the table. One standard: accountable engineering.

In 1995, Sonny Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois. But degrees don't build legacies — action does.

Utility. Generator. Regulator. Consultant. Few engineers have seen all four seats. Fewer still have sat in them.

Today, as Founder and CEO of Keentel Engineering, Sonny leads a nationwide team of engineers delivering substation design, power system studies, NERC compliance, and commissioning — done right, coast to coast.Three decades. Every side of the table. One standard: accountable engineering.