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The transformation of North America’s bulk power system (BPS) is accelerating, driven largely by the proliferation of inverter-based resources (IBRs) such as solar PV, wind turbines, and battery energy storage systems. Recognizing the complexity and reliability implications of this shift, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released a comprehensive “Quick Reference Guide” in June 2023 outlining seven years of focused activities on IBRs. This guide serves as a cornerstone for industry stakeholders looking to align with best practices, understand emerging challenges, and strengthen grid reliability.

Keentel Engineering presents a summarized perspective on NERC’s initiatives and offers insights on how utilities, grid operators, and project developers can strategically engage with the evolving IBR ecosystem.

NERC’s IBR strategy targets four key areas:

Risk Analysis: Evaluating the reliability impacts of increasing IBR penetration.
Interconnection Process Enhancements: Updating technical requirements for seamless BPS integration.
Best Practice Sharing and Education: Disseminating knowledge through webinars, guidelines, and outreach.
Regulatory Improvements: Supporting FERC-driven standard updates and compliance alignment.

This strategic roadmap ensures a coordinated industry response to mitigate IBR-related reliability risks.

In 2023, NERC hosted a landmark 11-part webinar series focused on IBRs. The sessions covered:

IBR fundamentals and grid impact
Emerging performance issues
Model validation and compliance obligations

Supplementary materials such as FAQs, expert interviews, and guidebooks (e.g., An Introductory Guide to Inverter-Based Resources) empower stakeholders with practical knowledge to improve integration and performance.

Additionally, cybersecurity is spotlighted in the brochure Recommendations for Solar Energy Cybersecurity, recognizing threats posed by both utility-scale and behind-the-meter DERs.

NERC has analyzed numerous disturbances over the past decade to derive lessons and mitigation strategies. Significant reports include:

Odessa Events (2021–2022, Texas): Revealed systemic faults in solar PV inverters.
Southwest Utah Disturbance (2023): Led to a 921 MW solar generation loss.
San Fernando & Blue Cut Fires (2020 & 2016): Highlighted PV tripping during transmission faults.

These reports illustrate the criticality of robust ride-through capabilities, voltage support functions, and standardized responses during system disturbances.

Several NERC alerts have been issued, such as:

March 2022 Alert: Urged mitigation of systemic performance deficiencies in BES solar PVs.
May 2018 Alert: Focused on inverter settings affecting fault ride-through.

Complementing these are reliability guidelines on EMT modeling, BESS and hybrid plant simulations, and low short circuit strength adaptation. These documents help Transmission Planners (TPs) and Planning Coordinators (PCs) perform more accurate simulations and identify weaknesses proactively.

Stakeholder working groups such as the Inverter-Based Resource Subcommittee (IRPS) and the Electromagnetic Transient Task Force (EMTTF) foster collaborative advancement. Their efforts include modeling guidance, white paper development, and input to NERC’s Reliability and Security Technical Committee (RSTC).

NERC’s commitment to stakeholder education is evident in events like the 2023 Grid Forming Webinar and ESIG-NERC joint workshops, where industry practitioners discuss challenges and innovations.

❓ What are Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs)?
IBRs refer to generation technologies that interface with the grid via power electronic inverters rather than synchronous machines. Common examples include solar PV systems, wind turbines (Type 3 and 4), battery energy storage systems, STATCOMs, SVCs, and HVDC terminals.
❓ Why are IBRs a reliability concern for the Bulk Power System (BPS)?
IBRs respond differently to faults and grid disturbances compared to traditional synchronous generators. If not properly configured, they may trip offline or fail to provide essential grid services, potentially leading to cascading outages.
❓ What is NERC’s IBR Strategy?
NERC’s IBR strategy focuses on:

Risk analysis
Enhancing interconnection processes
Sharing best practices and education
Regulatory and standards improvements

It aims to align stakeholders and mitigate emerging reliability threats from IBRs.
❓ What is the significance of recent NERC webinars on IBRs?
NERC’s 11-part webinar series in 2023 covered key issues such as IBR modeling, disturbance events, and mitigation strategies. It featured insights from 20 industry organizations and produced FAQs, slides, and a summary video.
❓ What are common IBR-related grid disturbances?
Major disturbances include:

2022 & 2023 Odessa events (Texas)
2023 Southwest Utah solar PV event
San Fernando and Blue Cut Fire solar PV reductions

These events involved widespread IBR tripping due to faults or misconfigured settings.
❓ What NERC alerts have been issued related to IBRs?
NERC issued alerts in 2017, 2018, and 2022 emphasizing:

Performance deficiencies in solar PVs
Misconfigured fault ride-through settings
Urgent need for compliance and configuration reviews
❓ How do white papers help stakeholders?
NERC’s white papers provide in-depth guidance on:

Grid-forming vs. grid-following inverters
Primary and fast frequency response from IBRs
Technical bases for disturbance response actions

They serve as foundational resources for engineering studies and regulatory planning.
❓ What is the importance of EMT modeling for IBRs?
Electromagnetic transient (EMT) modeling helps accurately simulate IBR behavior under fast-switching and low short-circuit strength conditions. EMT studies are critical for planning and interconnection evaluations involving IBRs.
❓ What standards are being modified for IBR reliability?
Standards under modification include:

PRC-024 (ride-through)
MOD-025 & PRC-019 (model/data verification)
FAC-001 & FAC-002 (interconnection requirements)
EOP-004 (event reporting)
❓ What is PRC-024, and why is it important for IBRs?
PRC-024 specifies generator voltage and frequency protection settings. Gaps in the standard may allow IBRs to trip during normal faults. NERC is revising the standard to better reflect IBR capabilities and prevent unnecessary disconnections.
❓ What cybersecurity risks are associated with IBRs?
As IBR deployments grow, they become potential targets for cyberattacks. NERC’s guide on solar energy cybersecurity emphasizes threat awareness for DER aggregators, IBR vendors, and grid operators.
❓ What is the role of the IRPS and EMT Task Force?
The Inverter-Based Resource Subcommittee (IRPS) develops technical resources for IBR planning and operations. The Electromagnetic Transient Task Force (EMTTF) supports EMT modeling adoption and studies for BPS planners and operators.
❓ What are IEEE 2800-2022 requirements for IBRs?
IEEE 2800-2022 establishes performance minimums for transmission-connected IBRs, covering:

Voltage and frequency ride-through
Active/reactive power control
Power quality and protection integration

It is a key reference for utility engineers and developers.
❓ How can Keentel Engineering assist with IBR compliance?
Keentel Engineering offers:

Dynamic and EMT modeling support
Ride-through settings validation
Compliance gap assessments for PRC/FAC/MOD standards
Technical training and study documentation
❓ What should project developers do to prepare for NERC compliance?
Developers should:

Ensure accurate IBR modeling and validation
Review and update protection settings
Participate in compliance training
Work with firms like Keentel Engineering for consulting and studies

In 1995, Sandip (Sonny) R. Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois, specializing in Electrical Engineering . But degrees don’t build legacies—action does. For three decades, he’s been shaping the future of engineering, not just as a licensed Professional Engineer across multiple states (Florida, California, New York, West Virginia, and Minnesota), but as a doer. A builder. A leader. Not just an engineer. A Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida with an Unlimited EC license. Not just an executive. The founder and CEO of KEENTEL LLC—where expertise meets execution. Three decades. Multiple states. Endless impact.