NERC PRC-029-1 Compliance for IBRs

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

As the North American grid integrates more solar, wind, and large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), ensuring that inverter-based resources (IBRs) stay connected during disturbances is paramount. NERC PRC-029-1 introduces stringent ride-through requirements to maintain voltage and frequency support—crucial for overall grid stability. At Keentel Engineering, our licensed P.E.s and NERC audit veterans deliver turnkey PRC-029-1 compliance solutions, so your IBR installations not only meet the standard but truly enhance the Bulk Electric System.

PRC-029-1 mandates that IBRs:

Remain electrically connected during voltage sags, phase angle jumps, and rate-of-change-of-frequency (ROCOF) events.
Inject reactive and active current according to IEEE 2800-2022 curves, supporting grid recovery.
Document any hardware limitations for legacy inverters, aligning with FERC Order 901 exemption protocols.

Meeting these criteria requires more than just setting relay thresholds—it demands comprehensive model validation, field testing, and clear audit trails.

Building on our 30+ years of utility-scale experience, we provide:

Dynamic Model Tuning: PSCAD/PSSE simulations aligned to IEEE 2800 ride-through curves.
Protection Setting Review: Development and testing of voltage/frequency ride-through relays.
Exemption Documentation: Justified hardware-limit cases filed with Planning Coordinators.
Disturbance Data Analysis: Post-event performance reports to demonstrate compliance.
Audit & Submission Support: End-to-end RSAW technical writing and utility coordination.

Explore our full suite of NERC offerings, including O&P 693 Compliance Services and CIP solutions, to cover every facet of reliability standards.

Q1: What is NERC PRC-029-1?
PRC-029-1 is a NERC reliability standard for inverter-based resources (IBRs) that mandates voltage and frequency ride-through performance, ensuring solar, wind, and BESS installations stay connected and support grid stability during disturbances.
Q2: Who must comply with PRC-029-1?
Generator Owners of NERC-registered IBRs—utility-scale solar PV, wind farms, and BESS—connected to the Bulk Electric System are required to implement PRC-029-1 ride-through capabilities.
Q3: How does PRC-029-1 differ from PRC-024-4?
While PRC-024-4 targets synchronous generators and Type 1/2 wind resources, PRC-029-1 is specifically tailored for IBRs, addressing momentary cessation prohibition, reactive current injection, phase angle jump ride-through, and ROCOF criteria.
Q4: What happens if an IBR trips during a voltage or frequency event?
Any trip is non-compliant under PRC-029-1. Owners must demonstrate ride-through via PSCAD/PSSE dynamic modeling or file documented legacy hardware exemptions with their Planning Coordinator.
Q5: What tools and methods validate PRC-029-1 compliance?
Compliance is confirmed through:

Dynamic modeling (PSCAD, PSSE) aligned to IEEE 2800 ride-through curves
Protective relay setting evaluations
Analysis of real-event disturbance data
Q6: Can legacy IBRs be exempted from PRC-029-1?
Yes—only if hardware limitations prevent compliance. Exemption requests require detailed justification, disturbance logs, and coordination with the local NERC Planning and Reliability Coordinators.
Q7: What full-service PRC-029-1 support does Keentel offer?
Keentel provides end-to-end PRC-029-1 services including:

IBR model tuning & ride-through simulation
Relay coordination & protection setting reviews
Disturbance data analysis & reporting
Exemption documentation & RSAW technical writing
Audit-ready deliverables & utility coordination

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.