NERC Level 3 Compliance for IBRs — Done Right with Keentel Engineering

Stay Ahead of the August 18, 2025 Deadline. Ensure Your IBR Modeling, Testing, and Documentation Are 100% Compliant with NERC’s Latest Alert.

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May 20, 2025 Alert Issued

The Industry is Under Alert — Are You Prepared?

On May 20, 2025, NERC issued a Level 3 Alert—its highest level of industry advisory—requiring Generator Owners (GOs) of Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) to take essential actions to protect the reliability of the Bulk Power System.

These actions are not optional. Failing to respond accurately could result in audit issues, modeling inaccuracies, and reputational risks.

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What Generator Owners Must Do

Essential compliance actions required by NERC Level 3 Alert

Validate Models

Ensure EMT and PSPD models match actual equipment behavior.

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Validate Models

Ensure EMT and PSPD models match actual equipment behavior.

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Validate Models

Ensure EMT and PSPD models match actual equipment behavior.

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Conduct Benchmark Tests

Ensure EMT and PSPD models match actual equipment behavior.

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Track Firmware and Design Changes

Update and synchronize equipment and model settings.

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Maintain Critical Data

Archive inverter, turbine, and plant-level specifications and settings.

Deadline Alert

All responses must be submitted by August 18, 2025 via the NERC Alert System

Keentel's NERC Alert Response Services

Our engineering team offers a wide range of services. We are an engineering company with a focus on engineering, procurement, construction and associated regulatory compliance. Our services include:

Compliance Documentation

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  • Technical write-ups for model settings, control hierarchy, and plant design
  • Custom reports for TPs and PCs
  • IBR lifecycle information management
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Model Validation & Benchmarking

  • EMT/PSPD benchmarking reports.
  • Simulation vs. field data comparison.
  • OEM collaboration support
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Conformity Assessments

  • Custom test plans aligned with NERC Essential Actions
  • Field commissioning audits and reports
  • Control performance verification
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Change Management Systems

  • Firmware update tracking
  • Real-time model adjustment support
  • Audit logs and configuration traceability
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Compliance Documentation

  • Technical write-ups for model settings, control hierarchy, and plant design
  • Custom reports for TPs and PCs
  • IBR lifecycle information management
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Submission Assistance

  • NERC Alert acknowledgment and response support
  • Dashboard for tracking actions and deadlines
  • Liaison service with Transmission Planners (TPs) and Coordinators (PCs)

Get Started — Risk-Free Compliance Assessment

The clock is ticking. Let's discuss your site and model readiness before NERC does.

Get Started — Risk-Free Compliance Assessment

The clock is ticking. Let's discuss your site and model readiness before NERC does.

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Schedule a Free Consultation Call

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Call us directly:

813-389-7871

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Your Compliance. Our Commitment.

Keentel Engineering—Your Partner in Power System Integrity and NERC Compliance Services.

🕛 Time Remaining

August 18, 2025

NERC Response Deadline

Why Choose Keentel Engineering?

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30+ Years of Grid Compliance and Power Systems Engineering

A magnifying glass is looking at a graph on a piece of paper. Proven Track Record

Proven Track Record in IBR Design, Modeling & Integration

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Deep Familiarity with NERC, FAC Standards, and FERC Requirements

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Hands-On Support from Validation to Documentation to Submission

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

  • 1. What is the purpose of the NERC Level 3 Alert on IBR Performance and Modeling?

    This alert aims to improve modeling accuracy and reliability of Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) on the Bulk Power System (BPS) by urging GOs, TOs, TPs, and PCs to enhance criteria, policies, and procedures for interconnection, modeling, and performance verification.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Regulatory gap analysis and NERC alert compliance planning.


  • 2. Who must comply with the NERC Level 3 Alert?

    All registered entities in the roles of GO, TO, TP, or PC are expected to acknowledge and respond. Although not enforceable like Reliability Standards, failure to follow may still lead to reliability risks and scrutiny.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Entity-specific action plan development and documentation submission support.


  • 3. Is compliance with this alert mandatory?

    No, but it is strongly urged. While it is not a Reliability Standard, entities are expected to implement the Essential Actions to maintain grid reliability.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Strategic advisory on voluntary action implementation and future compliance alignment.


  • 4. What is an Inverter-Based Resource (IBR)?

    IBRs are energy facilities like solar PV, Type 3/4 wind, BESS, or fuel cells that inject real power via inverters or converters.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: IBR modeling support and PSSE/TSAT integration for solar, wind, and BESS.


Engineering & Interconnection

  • 5. What are TOs and TPs expected to update in their interconnection requirements?

    They must include performance-based criteria for voltage control, frequency response, ride-through capability, post-disturbance behavior, and reactive power support.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Development and publication of standardized IBR performance specs.


  • 6. Why is uniform IBR performance necessary?

    It ensures predictable behavior across the grid during normal and disturbed conditions, minimizing cascading failures.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: System studies to verify conformity and recommend tuning.


  • 7. What are the key technical criteria to be defined in interconnection studies?

    • Voltage control deadbands

    • Frequency droop limits

    • Ride-through thresholds

    • Current priority logic during limits

    ➡️ Keentel Service: IBR commissioning plans, model validation, and test procedure creation.


Modeling and Verification

  • 8. What does “model quality” mean in the context of IBRs?

    It refers to the fidelity and accuracy of dynamic models (PSPD/EMT) used to represent real-world behavior of IBRs during disturbances.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Model validation reports and EMT benchmarking.


  • 9. What documentation should TPs and PCs obtain from GOs?

    • Unit model validation reports

    • Parameter mapping reports

    • Model quality attestations

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Coordination with OEMs to generate necessary documentation packages.


  • 10. How should entities verify that models match as-built performance?

    Through field data comparison, performance testing during commissioning, and post-event analysis.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Site commissioning supervision and field-model correlation analysis.


  • 11. What is the purpose of performance testing in the modeling process?

    To confirm that simulated response of models mirrors real-world operation, enabling reliable planning and protection studies.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Development of performance test protocols and automated test reports.


  • 12. Why are EMT models emphasized?

    Because they capture high-frequency dynamics and are more accurate for studying fast control responses in modern IBRs.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: EMT modeling using PSCAD and real-time simulation with HYPERSIM or RTDS.


Change Management & Lifecycle

  • 13. What is required under enhanced change management for GOs?

    Tracking and communication of any changes (e.g., firmware, settings, model parameters) to TPs and PCs, ensuring all representations remain accurate.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Lifecycle management system design and configuration tracking solutions.

  • 14. What IBR data must GOs retain as part of compliance?

    • Make/model/firmware
    • Voltage/frequency ride-through curves
    • Plant controller specs
    • Protection settings

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Creation of centralized IBR data repositories and automated update alerts.


  • 15. What’s the importance of tracking firmware updates?

    Firmware changes can alter control behavior. If not tracked, they may lead to discrepancies between models and field performance.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Firmware tracking and post-upgrade verification protocols.


Reporting & Coordination

  • 16. What are the important deadlines in this alert?

    • Acknowledgment due: May 27, 2025
    • Report submission due: August 18, 2025

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Project management of all deliverables including deadline tracking and stakeholder communication.


  • 17. What systems are used for acknowledgment and submission?

    The NERC Alert System, which requires acknowledgment, submission, and approval of each response.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: End-to-end support in navigating the NERC Alert System portal.


Strategic & Future Planning

  • 18. How does this alert connect with future Reliability Standards?

    The gathered data will inform updates to FAC-001, FAC-002, and others under development in response to FERC Order 901.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: Standards alignment consulting and future-readiness strategy development.

  • 19. Why is accurate IBR modeling critical to BPS reliability?

    Because planning, protection, and operational decisions depend on models. Inaccurate models can lead to blackout-level events.

    ➡️ Keentel Service: End-to-end IBR model audit and correction program.


  • 20. How can Keentel Engineering help across the lifecycle of NERC compliance?

    From interconnection studies, EMT modeling, and commissioning to change management, Keentel Engineering offers complete IBR lifecycle services tailored to NERC standards.


    ➡️ Summary of Services:

    • PSSE/TSAT/EMT model development
    • Performance testing & validation
    • NERC Alert reporting assistance
    • Change management system setup
    • Real-time model tuning
    • Regulatory training workshops

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