août 29, 2023

As renewable energy proliferates across the US power system, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) continues to actively address reliability risks resulting from the implementation of inverter-based resources (solar and wind generation technology) connected at both transmission and Distributed Energy Resources (DER) levels.

Based on the findings of multiple disturbance reports and the work of a dedicated industry task force, NERC has issued guidance related to performance and interconnection that aims to protect reliability and limit disruptions as the energy landscape evolves.

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What Is an Inverter-Based Resource?

An inverter-based resource (IBR) is a piece of equipment that regulates the flow of power by converting direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity. It can have different specific uses depending on the application. This category of devices includes renewable energy generators and backup power storage options. IBRs are essential pieces of equipment in energy generation technology, as they serve as the “brains” of the entire operation.

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Types of Inverter-Based Resources

Examples of IBRs include:

  • Grid-tied: These inverters convert DC power into AC power. A grid-tied converter connects to the electrical grid and processes the power between the energy system and the electrical grid.
  • Standalone: A standalone inverter works independently of the electrical grid and uses batteries or rectifiers to convert DC to AC power.
  • Battery-based: As the name implies, battery-based inverters require a battery and process DC to AC power as a backup option when necessary.

All inverters are set to deliver AC power in one of three phases — single-phase, split-phase or three-phase — depending on the specific type of IBR and the application.

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Applications of Inverter-Based Resources

IBRs have numerous applications wherever solar engineering or a wind power system is used, including:

  • Residential use: The most common application for IBRs in a residential sense is for residential solar panels, where IBRs are necessary to create usable power. An inverter works in a solar panel system to convert DC energy created by sunlight to AC power that supplies electricity for the home. If homeowners have battery systems for their solar panel systems, battery-based inverters can supply backup power in situations when the electrical grid is down or the sun isn’t out.
  • Commercial use: In a commercial sense, IBRs are necessary for converting power in different vehicles, such as marine vehicles. Additionally, commercial properties may use renewable energy generation or battery banks for backup power, which also require the use of inverters.
  • Industrial use: On an industrial scale, IBRs are used to protect critical power loads and prevent costly power interruptions.

Advantages and Challenges of Inverter-Based Resources

IBRs come with various advantages and challenges that companies should understand to make the most of them.

Some specific advantages of IBRs include:

  • Cost savings: Using systems powered by inverters can potentially lead to cost savings. For example, solar panel systems require inverters and can help properties save immensely on electricity by harnessing solar power. When battery-based inverters are used, properties still have electricity without needing to rely on the electrical grid.
  • Reliability and efficiency: Depending on the type of inverter used, inverters can supply high levels of reliability and efficiency, so users never have to worry about their electricity or power levels.
  • Flexibility and scalability: IBRs are versatile, so commercial and industrial users can implement them for various applications. If greater power is required down the line, users can scale their IBR use to meet their needs.
  • Environmental benefits: Because inverters are commonly used in renewable energy systems, IBRs can help contribute to sustainability. Further, IBRs help supply efficient power, allowing users to mitigate their energy use.

These are potential challenges related to IBRs, including:

  • High initial costs: Some IBRs are less cost-effective, meaning users may be faced with steep upfront costs when implementing IBRs.
  • System complexity and maintenance requirements: In many cases, such as industrial applications, IBR management can require immense technical knowledge. To properly maintain IBRs, users may require the assistance of knowledgeable professionals, which can increase costs.
  • Safety concerns for grid-tied systems: There can be considerable safety issues related to inverters, particularly when “islanding” occurs in solar panel systems. This issue happens when properties continue generating electricity despite the electrical grid being down. If electricity continues to go back to the electric grid when it’s down, workers could be severely injured. Fortunately, precautions can be put in place to prevent islanding, such as the use of batteries.
  • Limited power storage capacity for battery-based systems: While battery-based IBRs can provide electricity in a backup form, they can’t provide unlimited amounts of power. This potential challenge is something to note for battery-specific applications.

Disturbance Analysis: Key Findings

In recent years, several transmission system disturbances have provided valuable information regarding the ability of inverter-based resources to ride-through and recover.

In August 2016, the Blue Cut Fire in California caused a fault on the Southern California transmission system. It was cleared normally. However, it resulted in a significant number of solar PV resources erroneously tripping due to miscalculated frequency. An investigation found that many other resources were operating in a previously unknown mode called “momentary cessation.”

A coordinated event analysis and disturbance report published in June 2017 concluded that this is a systemic issue requiring action by industry. NERC issued a Level 2 Alert to collect data on the extent of the reliability risk and to provide recommended performance improvements for existing and new solar PV resources connecting to the Bulk Power System (BPS).

In October 2017, the Canyon 2 Fire in California resulted in a transmission disturbance that again triggered the loss of solar PV resources as a result of a fault that was cleared normally. In this case, the predominant cause of tripping was attributed to sub cycle transient over-voltages resulting in inverter tripping at solar PV facilities.

Momentary cessation was also a contributing factor. NERC ERO, working with California ISO and Southern California Edison, published a disturbance report in February 2018 to outline key findings and recommendations. A Level 2 NERC Alert was issued to provide recommended performance improvements and to initiate modifications to eliminate momentary cessation for existing resources to the greatest possible extent.

As the NERC Alert for the Canyon 2 Fire disturbance was being rolled out, two additional disturbances occurred, related to the April 2018 Angeles Forest Fire and May 2018 Palmdale Roost Fire. NERC issued a disturbance report to document the primary contributors to solar PV output reduction in these events. The causes were similar in nature to the Canyon 2 Fire disturbance. However, a unique finding in these two events was that some amount of DER also tripped in the local area, causing a net load increase after the disturbance.

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NERC Reliability Guideline: BPS-Connected Inverter-Based Resource Performance

The response of inverter-based resources to grid disturbances, unlike synchronous generation, is predominantly driven by the controls and logic programmed into the inverters that interface these resources with the grid. The current FERC Generator Interconnection Agreements and NERC Reliability Standards do not prescribe the exact behavior of generating resources.

However, industry leaders (including inverter manufacturers) acknowledged that the implementation of standardized performance specifications would help support consistent response from generating resources connected to the transmission and distribution system. For that reason, the IRPTF developed a reliability guideline recommending performance specifications.

The guideline has been adopted in many ways by the inverter manufacturers that work with generator owners and project developers as a cornerstone document regarding the expected behavior of inverter-based resources connected to the BPS. While NERC has jurisdiction over Bulk Electric System (BES) resources, the guideline explicitly states that the recommendations provided are applicable to all resources connected to the BPS (not just BES resources). Refer to this guideline for detailed information regarding the expected and recommended performance of inverter-based resources connected to the BPS.

NERC Reliability Guideline: Improvements to Interconnection Requirements for BPS Connected Inverter-Based Resources

This guideline builds on previously published guidance which recommended performance specifications and a repository of technical reference material regarding inverter-based resource behavior during normal grid operation and disturbances. It aims to provide more clear and consistent interconnection requirements for newly interconnecting inverter-based resources.

While these recommendations are applicable to all inverter-based resources connected to the BPS (including BES and non-BES resources), many of the recommended specifications are not mandatory nor enforceable. Further, most resources connected to the BPS are not subject to NERC reliability standards since they have a capacity of less than 75 MVA. It is particularly important that the local transmission owner interconnection requirements, per NERC FAC-001-3, and interconnection studies per NERC FAC-002-2, evolve with new technologies and the capabilities of inverter-based resources.

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Achieve NERC Compliance With TRC

Transmission owners are advised to carefully review the NERC Inverter-Based Resources Guideline and Interconnection Reliability Guideline for Inverter-Based Resources. Generation owners should review these same documents to understand why the guidelines are being implemented.

TRC’s approach to power system planning and design balances solutions that incorporate appropriate standards, regulatory requirements, best practices, operational goals and budgets. Our work for public and private sector clients is a testament to our understanding of power system operations and planning and our successful application of technological solutions in a constantly evolving business and regulatory landscape.

Our power system experts help you stay ahead of changing regulatory expectations because they stay engaged with the regulatory process and know how to plan, design and install programs that address your financial, technical and scheduling goals, including compliance with changing NERC Operations and Planning standards and guidelines.

For more information, please contact us today.

This regulatory update is a service to TRC’s utility clients, helping keep you informed of issues that impact your company’s electric system security risks along with related topics regarding future regulatory developments to help you achieve your company’s business goals.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Approves New Extreme Weather Planning Standard

janvier 22, 2025

On December 10, 2024, NERC’s Board of Trustees approved standard TPL-008-1 Transmission System Planning Performance Requirements for Extreme Temperature Events. The petition to approve the TPL-008-1 standard was filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on December 17, 2024 and will initiate the implementation plan upon final approval. 

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La FERC publie des directives pour améliorer la sécurité du réseau électrique et la conformité au CIP

septembre 30, 2024

Cette mise à jour fournit des détails du rapport du personnel de la FERC 2024 sur les audits CIP, afin que les services publics puissent améliorer la conformité et réduire les risques pour la sécurité.

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La NERC publie son rapport sur l’état de fiabilité 2024

septembre 19, 2024

La North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) a récemment publié son rapport sur l’état de fiabilité 2024, examinant le rendement du réseau électrique au cours de l’année civile 2023.

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Conformité des évaluations des installations grâce à une approche de la communauté d’entreprise

août 30, 2024

Les cotes d’installation jouent un rôle essentiel dans la planification et l’exploitation fiables du système électrique en vrac (BES) et pourtant, le maintien de la conformité aux normes NERC pertinentes reste un défi de l’industrie.

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Les perturbations géomagnétiques extrêmes ont une incidence sur la planification de la NERC

août 8, 2024

Renseignez-vous sur les récentes perturbations géomagnétiques qui ont amené les intervenants du réseau électrique en vrac à réagir rapidement pour protéger la fiabilité du réseau. Découvrez les impacts et ce que la NERC et l’industrie font à ce sujet.

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Preuves de conformité cohérentes de la NERC pour les résultats de la vérification réussie

juin 27, 2024

Alors que les services publics travaillent souvent dans des silos techniques, les auditeurs NERC sont formés pour vérifier les preuves de conformité et les données entre les normes interdépendantes.

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Les nouvelles normes de la NERC aident à se protéger contre les cyberattaques

mai 23, 2024

Dans le cadre des efforts continus de la NERC pour renforcer les exigences en matière de protection des infrastructures essentielles (CIP) et permettre la mise en œuvre d’un concept d’amélioration de la sécurité connu sous le nom de virtualisation.

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Succès de la conformité nerc grâce à une approche de la communauté d’entreprise

mai 6, 2024

Alors que les services publics travaillent souvent dans des silos techniques, les auditeurs NERC sont formés pour vérifier les preuves de conformité et les données entre les normes interdépendantes. Le travail en silo mène souvent à des situations par inadvertance où les preuves de conformité d’une norme sont utilisées, mais incompatibles avec l’information produite ou utilisée par d’autres normes. Pour assurer l’atteinte des objectifs de déclaration des preuves de conformité dans chaque norme et exigence applicable, il est important de déterminer les interrelations et de créer un cadre où les experts en la matière (PME) de toutes les disciplines techniques tiennent compte des exigences en matière de cohérence des données probantes. Les auditeurs de conformité nerc sont également formés pour examiner les flux de processus et identifier s’ils sont complets ou incomplets. Les vérificateurs déterminent la pertinence de l’information en examinant la qualité et l’exhaustivité des preuves de conformité. Examiner la pertinence, la validité, l’uniformité et la fiabilité des éléments probants utilisés pour atteindre les objectifs de fiabilité de la vérification et appuyer leurs constatations et conclusions. Si des éléments probants contradictoires sont trouvés, ils l’identifieront dans les conclusions officielles de leur rapport de vérification de l’entité régionale (ER), ce qui pourrait entraîner une violation de la conformité et des amendes connexes. Afin d’améliorer la probabilité de résultats favorables de la vérification de la conformité de la NERC et d’éviter la nécessité de mettre en œuvre des plans d’atténuation, les contributeurs individuels et les PME devraient examiner certaines preuves de conformité réticulées pour assurer l’uniformité entre les approches utilisées pour consigner les preuves de conformité. Cela permettra à une entreprise de consacrer plus de temps à l’exécution des tâches de fiabilité de base et d’améliorer les obligations réglementaires de l’entreprise. Évitez d’attendre que les vérifications de conformité des ER soient en cours pour identifier les situations de preuves contradictoires.

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La NERC propose des modifications aux critères d’inscription des ressources basées sur les onduleurs (IBRs)

avril 19, 2024

La NERC a soumis à l’approbation de la FERC de nouveaux critères de conformité pour l’enregistrement des RCI dans le cadre des efforts continus visant à réduire les risques de fiabilité. Il est essentiel que les développeurs d’énergie renouvelable, les propriétaires de production et les propriétaires de réseaux de transport comprennent les implications potentielles pour les études d’interconnexion et les files d’attente d’interconnexion.

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La NERC propose des clarifications aux normes de temps froid de l’EOP

mars 26, 2024

La NERC a soumis des propositions de révision à la norme EOP-012-2 – Norme de préparation et d’exploitation par temps extrêmement froid, aux fins d’approbation par la FERC sur une base accélérée. Les révisions proposées tiennent compte des recommandations clés restantes du rapport d’enquête conjoint de la FERC et de la NERC sur la tempête hivernale Uri et des directives découlant d’un arrêté de la FERC de 2023 concernant les normes de temps froid soumises précédemment.

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La mise à jour du FAC-003-5 apporte des changements radicaux aux classifications de transmission à compter du 1er avril

mars 19, 2024

La mise à jour du FAC-003-5 apporte des changements radicaux aux classifications de transmission à compter du 1er avril

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Prévenir les échecs de conformité nerc avec les examens de l’état de préparation

février 20, 2024

Chaque service public enregistré auprès de la NERC doit s’efforcer de se conformer en permanence à son portefeuille de normes de fiabilité NERC applicables

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La NERC publie le plan d’élaboration des normes 2024-2026

janvier 26, 2024

La NERC a soumis son plan d’élaboration de normes de fiabilité 2024-2026 à la Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), décrivant ses priorités actuelles et ses futurs plans d’élaboration de normes pour protéger la fiabilité du réseau électrique en vrac au cours des trois prochaines années.

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La NERC et la FERC publient le rapport sur la tempête hivernale Elliott

janvier 2, 2024

La NERC et la FERC ont publié leur rapport final sur la tempête hivernale Elliott, qui fournit un renforcement pour les recommandations dans les rapports antérieurs d’événements de perturbation liés au temps froid. Le rapport fait état de lacunes critiques en matière de rendement en matière de fiabilité et des quasi-accidents liés à la fiabilité. La NERC affirme qu’une crise a été « évitée de justesse ». Le rapport décrit les mesures que l’industrie doit prendre pour éviter une répétition à l’avenir.

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L’ordonnance 901 de la FERC demande des normes pour combler les lacunes en matière de fiabilité de l’IBR

novembre 27, 2023

Les ressources basées sur les onduleurs jouent un rôle central lorsqu’il s’agit d’ajouter une nouvelle capacité de production d’électricité dans le système d’alimentation en vrac.

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La NERC publie une série de webinaires sur les ressources basées sur les onduleurs

octobre 19, 2023

Alors que le système de distribution d’électricité continue d’évoluer rapidement en raison des initiatives de politique de décarbonisation, les ressources basées sur des onduleurs (IBRs) jouent un rôle de plus en plus important dans les ajouts de production au système d’alimentation en vrac. La NERC et d’autres organisations techniques ont pris de nombreuses mesures pour appuyer l’intégration fiable de ces ressources.

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FERC Issues Order 2023 to Resolve Interconnection Process Issues

septembre 25, 2023

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved Order 2023 to facilitate and improve the speed and reliability of adding new energy resources to the power system

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Mises à jour réglementaires

CFATS Program Expires but Reauthorization Anticipated this Fall

septembre 6, 2023

Regulated organizations should continue to follow DHS cybersecurity requirements.

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FERC Hosts Technical Conference on the Effectiveness and Improvements to CIP-014-3

août 30, 2023

Expert Discussions and Key Takeaways Focus on Physical Security

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Aperçus

Intro to NERC Regulatory Guidance on Inverter-Based Resources

août 29, 2023

As renewable energy proliferates across the US power system, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) continues to actively address reliability risks resulting from the implementation of inverter-based resources (solar and wind generation technology) connected at both transmission and Distributed Energy Resources (DER) levels.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

FERC Extreme Weather Initiative Will Change the Transmission Planning Process

juillet 26, 2023

FERC issued a Final Rule directing NERC to develop a new or modified reliability standard addressing transmission system planning performance requirements for extreme heat or cold weather events.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

FERC Approves Plan to Register Certain Inverter-Based Resources as part of NERC Mandatory Standards Compliance Program

juin 21, 2023

FERC issued an order approving NERC’s compliance filings.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Files Report on Effectiveness on CIP-014 Physical Security Standard

mai 25, 2023

On behalf of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), its President and CEO Jim Robb, recently presented to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a summary of NERC’s report on the effectiveness of NERC’s CIP-014 Physical Security Standard. There were almost 1,700 physical security incidents reported to the Electricity-Information Security Analysis Center (E-ISAC) in 2022, an increase of 10.5% from 2021.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

FERC Issues Order on Cold Weather Reliability Standards

avril 27, 2023

FERC has approved two NERC proposed cold weather-related reliability standards.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

FERC Orders Internal Network Security Monitoring Rule to be Finalized

mars 14, 2023

FERC directed NERC to develop Reliability Standards to implement INSM within trusted CIP environments.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

Insights from the Odessa II Power System Disturbance

février 22, 2023

NERC and TRE release the Odessa II Power System Disturbance Report

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Mises à jour réglementaires

New FERC Orders Will Change Regulatory Process for Inverter Based Resources

janvier 9, 2023

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently proposed actions to keep the regulatory process and requirements ahead of reliability risks resulting from the accelerated deployment of Inverter Based Resources (IBR) based solar, wind and battery storage projects.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Releases Facilities Ratings Best Practices Report

Décembre 19, 2022

NERC report on best practices for utilities that have encountered facility ratings program challenges.

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NERC Files Comments in the FERC Generator Interconnection Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

novembre 21, 2022

The rulemaking addresses improvements needed to reliably facilitate the power industry’s transition to renewable and distributed generating resources utilizing inverter-based technologies.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Releases Inverter-Based Resource Strategy Plan

octobre 25, 2022

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently released an Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Strategy, which details the steps needed to successfully integrate IBR facilities into the planning and operation of the power system. The strategy was put in place due to the rapid interconnection of IBR systems, which are extensively used for solar and wind generating facilities, including new battery-based energy storage systems and are one of the most significant drivers of power grid transformation. Because of control system inconsistencies, IBR facilities pose well-documented risks to power system reliability when this strategy’s practices are not adhered to. NERC’s plan calls attention to the need for thoughtful integration of IBRs and identifies current and future work required to mitigate reliability risks resulting from the deployment of this technology.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Releases 2022 State of Reliability Report

septembre 16, 2022

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently released its 2022 State of Reliability report, which examines power system performance in calendar year 2021 and evaluates reliability performance trends. The 2022 report identified six key findings regarding power system performance that are summarized as follows:

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Proposes Implementation Guidance for PRC-019-2

août 22, 2022

NERC has proposed implementation guidance for PRC-019-2, the standard that verifies coordination of generating unit facility or synchronous condenser voltage regulating controls, limit functions, equipment capabilities and protection system settings.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

Revisions to FAC-001 and FAC-002 Submitted for FERC Approval

juillet 12, 2022

Reliability Standards FAC-001-4 and FAC-002-will resolve uncertainty regarding the meaning of “materially modify” under the currently effective standards.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

FERC Order No. 881-A Has Implications for NERC Compliance Programs

juin 23, 2022

Updated Order will have significant impact on NERC compliance programs related to both PRC standards and facilities ratings. Utilities should review the Order’s requirements and prepare for changes needed to remain compliant.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC’s Revised PRC-024-3 Standard for Inverter-Based Generation Effective in October 2022

mai 11, 2022

Changes to PRC-024-3 in support of inverter-based generation performance are going into effect in October of this year. Interconnection programs and documentation procedures may need to be updated in order to maintain compliance.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

FERC Issues Notice of Inquiry Regarding Dynamic Line Ratings

avril 25, 2022

There are significant technical challenges involved in implementing Dynamic Line Ratings in the planning and operation of utility systems. Utilities should be prepared to modify their NERC compliance programs as necessary to address the potential introduction of DLR in their businesses.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

New NERC Guidance Supports the Implementation of Grid Forming Inverters

mars 8, 2022

NERC has issued a new report highlighting the key attributes of various inverter controls to support proper implementation and to protect reliability.

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NERC Recommends Approaches for Underfrequency Load Shedding Programs

février 24, 2022

In a recently released reliability guideline, NERC recommends additional approaches for Underfrequency Load Shedding (UFLS) program design to help utilities effectively consider the effects of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). The guidance was developed to address the accelerated transition of the power system to locally installed, decarbonized resources that depend on inverters. These new technologies introduce operational controls issues into the electric grid. UFLS data gathering and analysis methodologies may require modification to address reliability risks.

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Aperçus

Ordonnance no 2222 de la FERC, DER et technologie de l’énergie

février 1, 2022

La FERC a publié le projet d’émission O. 2222 pour permettre aux ressources énergétiques distribuées (DER) de mieux participer aux côtés des ressources traditionnelles dans les marchés de gros régionaux et organisés.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC and FERC Recommend Protection System Commissioning Improvements

janvier 18, 2022

Between 18 and 36 percent of reported utility misoperations were attributed to issues that could have been detected through a properly implemented PSC.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

FERC & NERC Issue Joint Report on Freeze Reliability Failures

Décembre 15, 2021

The in-depth report outlines twenty-eight recommendations to address freeze reliability failures, including operating practices and recommendations for NERC standards modifications surrounding generator winterization and gas-electric coordination.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Accelerates Additional Cold Weather Standards Changes

novembre 22, 2021

At its November 2021 meeting, NERC’s Board of Trustees took aggressive action to advance critical cold weather Reliability Standards. Most notably, the group approved the 2022-2024 Reliability Standards Development Plan, which prioritizes standards projects for the coming years including a resolution to include new cold weather operations, preparedness and coordination standards as high priority development projects.

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PRC-002-2 Disturbance Monitoring and Reporting Standard: Initial Mandatory Implementation Plan Dates Approach

novembre 18, 2021

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved PRC-002-2 in September, 2015. The initial due date for system studies necessary to identify locations for the collection of disturbance related data under Requirement R1 is January 1, 2017.

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Aperçus

Substation Hardening: Don’t Be a Pawn to Security

octobre 28, 2021

Protecting our critical energy infrastructure from physical security threats is certainly not a game, but the process can take some important lessons from the game of chess.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

New Potential Compliance Standards Identified at FERC Technical Conference on Reliability

octobre 18, 2021

With a focus on the reliability impact of extreme weather and the shortcomings of current system planning approaches, both NERC and FERC conference participants opened the door to potential forthcoming compliance standard enhancements or changes.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Issues Odessa Texas Disturbance Report

septembre 29, 2021

While NERC has analyzed multiple similar events in California, this is the first disturbance involving a widespread reduction of PV resource power output observed in the Texas Interconnection.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

FERC Approves Modifications to NERC’s Cold Weather-Related Standards

septembre 7, 2021

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved changes to three mandatory NERC Reliability Standards that aim to better prepare the North American power system to withstand extreme cold weather events.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC’s Generator Relay Loadability Standard is Now in Effect

août 30, 2021

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved changes to three mandatory NERC Reliability Standards that aim to better prepare the North American power system to withstand extreme cold weather events. All utilities, even those not impacted by recent events, will be required to comply. The modified standards include: EOP-011-2 (Emergency Preparedness and Operations) IRO-010-4 (Reliability Coordinator Data Specification and Collection) TOP-003-5 (Operational Reliability Data) NERC proposed the standards modifications in response to the findings of the NERC FERC Joint Report on the 2018 South Central Cold Weather Event. The changes address the need to winterize facilities; ensure the accurate reporting of design specifications to reliability coordinators for generating units; and the need for balancing authorities and reliability coordinators to be aware of, and plan for, generating units’ limitations during extreme cold weather.

clean-energy
Mises à jour réglementaires

La NERC cherche à améliorer les rapports sur le rendement de la fiabilité du GADS

août 26, 2021

En vertu de la loi habilitante qui a créé l’Electric Reliability Organization, la NERC est responsable d’évaluer le rendement fiable du réseau électrique. L’une des façons dont la NERC le fait est d’obtenir un système de rapports de l’industrie pour la production et le transport. Le Système de données sur la disponibilité des générateurs (GADS) est utilisé par la NERC et l’industrie depuis plus de 40 ans pour obtenir des données sur la composante de production du système électrique[1]. En raison de l’évolution rapide de la composition des ressources de production, il est essentiel que NERC dispose de données complètes sur les installations, les événements, les pannes et les performances pour la production photovoltaïque et éolienne afin d’assurer la fiabilité. À mesure que les technologies renouvelables sont de plus en plus déployées, un ensemble complet de statistiques sur le rendement des actifs de production est nécessaire pour permettre à la NERC d’évaluer la capacité du système à répondre à la charge, la performance du réseau électrique et de prévoir tout problème de fiabilité potentiel en raison de l’insuffisance des ressources. Par conséquent, la NERC propose d’apporter les améliorations suivantes au processus de collecte de données GADS pour la production d’énergie renouvelable : Ajouter les propriétaires de générateurs qui exploitent des installations solaires photovoltaïques de 20 MW ou plus au Système de données sur la disponibilité de la production (appelé « GADS-PV ») ; et Élargir les rapports GADS Wind (« GADS-W ») pour inclure le stockage d’énergie connectée et le rapport d’événements.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

Electric Reliability Council of Texas Releases 60-Point Plan for Change

août 23, 2021

ERCOT’s recently released “Roadmap to Improving Grid Reliability” presents a plan for change in Texas that includes increasing electric power generation and purchasing significantly more power reserves.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

Prepare for Upcoming NERC Compliance Deadlines

août 20, 2021

With 2020 right around the corner, there are many new NERC standards and standards requirements set to go into effect in the areas of Critical Infrastructure Protection and Transmission Operations and Planning.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

Developments in Texas and Nationally Mandate Extreme Weather Responses to Protect Reliability

juillet 23, 2021

Two recent actions will change the current system planning, investment needs and operating procedures for electric utilities. New infrastructure investments and more robust compliance programs will be needed.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

Electric System Planning for Extreme Weather Events: NERC Recommends Actions to Protect Reliability this Summer

juin 23, 2021

Due to recent extreme weather-related power systems failures, stakeholders are examining the planning and operations practices for all electric utilities.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC’s FAC-008 Guidance on Facility Ratings

mai 24, 2021

FAC-008 is one of the most data-intensive standards in the NERC regulatory framework. Compliance has been difficult for many utilities. Recently, FERC made public it’s intent to address serious allegations of facility ratings violations, including a lack of rigor by one utility.

NERC-Issues-Battery-Energy-Storage-Systems-Reliability-Guidance
Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Issues Battery Energy Storage Systems Reliability Guidance

avril 22, 2021

While NERC has recently published a reliability guideline addressing inverter-based resources generally, they are now giving more attention to the various potential uses of BESS to support effective implementation with newly released guidance.

NERC-Proposes-Revisions-to-CIP-008
Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Proposes Revisions to CIP-008

mars 27, 2021

NERC’s CIP-008 standard aims to mitigate reliability risks resulting from a Cyber Security Incident by specifying incident response requirements. Newly proposed revisions would augment mandatory reporting to include incidents that compromise, or attempt to compromise, a utility’s Electronic Security Perimeter (ESP) or associated Electronic Access Control or Monitoring Systems (EACMS).

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Mises à jour réglementaires

Cold Weather Reliability Preparedness and Hardening

mars 22, 2021

The latest weather impacts to power reliability have accelerated the need for mandatory regulatory compliance changes.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Releases 2021 Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Findings

février 8, 2021

NERC’s 2021 Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Program reframes the previous year’s risks and their associated areas of focus. Utilities should review their compliance programs and internal controls to determine if enhancement or changes are need to maintain compliance.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Proposes Revision of Pending TPL-001-5.1 Standard

janvier 20, 2021

NERC has recently undertaken important standards and guidance development activities related to the proliferation of inverter-based technologies such as solar and wind generation, as well as battery energy storage which is growing as an industry solution to ensure the reliability of renewable power for end-use customers.

NERC-and-FERC-Take-Action-on-Facilities-Ratings
Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC and FERC Take Action on Facilities Ratings

Décembre 4, 2020

There has been significant work across the electric industry to improve facility ratings related processes, programs, frameworks, internal controls and best practices. Yet this continues to be a challenging area for utilities, particularly from an asset management and regulatory compliance perspective.

FERC-Issues-Annual-Report-on-Critical-Infrastructure-Protection-CIP-Reliability-Audits
Mises à jour réglementaires

FERC Issues Annual Report on Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Audits

novembre 17, 2020

In its 2020 Report on CIP Reliability Audits, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission found that most of the cybersecurity protection processes and procedures adopted by utilities met the mandatory CIP requirements for protecting the Bulk Electric System. However, there are areas for improvement.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Prioritizes Inverter-Based Resources for Future Standards Development

octobre 19, 2020

As inverter-based resources found in wind and solar generation technologies continue to rapidly penetrate the U.S. power delivery system, NERC remains focused on managing the potential reliability consequences.

NERC-Issues-2020-State-of-Reliability-Report-1
Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Issues 2020 State of Reliability Report

septembre 22, 2020

The Report identifies areas of ongoing concern including generation reserve margins and the reliability risk from shifting the resource mix toward renewables.

technologies
Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Issues Lessons Learned on Misoperations Due to Mixing Relay Technologies

août 13, 2020

On July 10, 2020 NERC released new Lessons Learned guidance to address situations where multiple composite protection systems have misoperated as a result of mixing protective relay technologies at the remote terminals of directional comparison blocking (DCB) schemes. This technical information will help utilities improve the reliability of the Bulk Power System.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Reliability Standard PRC-024-3 Approved: Frequency and Voltage Protection Settings for Generating Resources

juillet 28, 2020

On July 9, 2020 NERC standard PRC-024-3 was approved, paving the way for improved protection systems in support of keeping generating resources connected during defined frequency and voltage excursions.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

Summary of NERC CIP Standards Updates

juin 29, 2020

FERC has released a notice of inquiry seeking comments on potential enhancements to NERC’s Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Protection System Compliance Studies Due This Year

février 24, 2020

NERC’s PRC-027-1 standard was approved by FERC in 2018 and is set to go into effect on October 1, 2020. Utilities should begin preparing now to meet compliance requirements which include significant system studies.

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Livres blancs/rapports

NERC Compliance Assurance: Maintaining Cross Functional Data Integrity

janvier 21, 2020

Assuring continued power system reliability is a complex undertaking for utilities. Balancing the demands of system changes and regulatory compliance is an essential strategy for optimizing ongoing operations. Given the wide range of NERC standard families that require simultaneous data management for compliance, data integrity, data flow and data verification are critical for avoiding violations that can impact electric service to customers and communities.

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NERC Reliability Report Prioritizes Power System Security Risks for Action

janvier 2, 2020

NERC’s 2019 ERO Reliability Risk Priorities Report identified and prioritized the major risks facing the utility industry with a particular focus on security issues.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Reliability Report Prioritizes Power System Risks

novembre 21, 2019

Looking ahead to the many changes coming to North America’s Bulk Power System (BPS), NERC’s 2019 ERO Reliability Risk Priorities Report highlights the top issues requiring industry and regulatory attention and recommends actions for the ongoing protection of BPS reliability.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Pursues Changes to Protection Relay and Control (PRC) Standards

septembre 24, 2019

Two Standards Authorization Requests currently being debated in the NERC stakeholder engagement process could help clarify PRC standards obligations for generator owners and operators.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC to Modify Standard and Develop Compliance Guidance to Accommodate Inverter-Based Generation Technologies

février 20, 2019

Renewable energy systems have dramatically changed the power generation resource mix. These new generation technologies no longer involve directly coupled rotating generators which were once standard in the industry. Now, inverters that change Direct Current (DC) electricity to the Alternating Current (AC) electricity suitable for delivery via AC transmission systems are becoming more prevalent, raising reliability…

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Addresses Single Points of Failure in Protection Systems Among Other FERC Concerns

octobre 25, 2018

Under the proposed NERC TPL-001-5 standard, utilities with transmission planning responsibilities will be required to identify reliability risks related to protection system failures and take mandatory corrective action. It will be critical to have an in depth understanding of your company’s protection system settings and to perform the system studies necessary to identify where single points of failure may result in cascading tripping of transmission elements. Mitigation actions may require the installation of redundant protection systems which in turn may lead to significant substation redesign. Transmission planners and planning coordinators should begin preparing for any necessary protection system changes. TPL-001-5 Overview NERC began studying the reliability risk associated with single points of protection system failure starting in 2011 as directed in FERC Order 754. TPL-001-5 will bring significant changes for Planning Coordinators and Transmission Planners as they perform annual Planning Assessments. There is a new obligation to adequately account for the reliability risk posed by single point of protection system failure via risk-based Assessment. This reliability risk management approach will be implemented through modifications to the Category P5 Planning Event which is described in Table 1 of the TPL-001-5 standard. NERC believes that the most cost-effective Corrective Action Plans to address unacceptable system performance for the P5 Planning Events will likely be to add protection system component redundancy in certain cases. Protection system redundancy changes to address Category P5 Event system performance violations should reduce or even negate non-redundant component related risks that need to be considered in assessing transmission system performance. These risks will be identified during simulations of certain extreme events as required under the standard. TPL-001-5 also addresses reliability risks related to outage management as directed in FERC Order 786. The standard requires utility planners to consider maintenance outages of significant facilities as well as outages for critical long lead time to repair or replace equipment. Specifically, it addresses stability analysis to assess system performance for conditions expected during possible unavailability of long lead time equipment. Although it is not a NERC defined term, it is believed that a “spare equipment strategy will be sufficient to allow flexibility for utilities to conduct both steady state and stability analysis required by TPL-001-5. For example, a utility’s spare equipment strategy may include the warehousing of a replacement transformer to be installed given the failure of an in service transformer. When a utility’s spare equipment strategy may prevent major transmission equipment from being out-of-service for one year or more, this possible equipment unavailability need not be assessed as part of TPL-001-5.

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NERC Proposes Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Plan for 2019

septembre 26, 2018

This month, NERC released the first draft of its 2019 Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Plan (CMEP) which identifies power delivery system risks and outlines compliance audit requirements for next year. The risk elements outlined in the plan include significant differences from previous years, as shown in the table below. Each NERC region must consider these risks as they develop their monitoring and audit scopes for utilities. Utilities should be prepared to be audited and implement any necessary compliance initiatives in these areas.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Calls for New Approach to Reliability Planning Due to Gas Supply Disruption Risks

Décembre 14, 2017

A recently published NERC report concludes that as reliance on natural gas to meet electric generation requirements increases, additional planning and operational measures must be considered to mitigate power system reliability risks.

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Aperçus

Hardening Cyber Defenses at Chemical Facilities a Key Part of Federal CFATS Regulations

octobre 24, 2017

Federal CFATS regulations cover more than just the handling, transport and storage of dangerous chemicals. They also deal with tools and methods terrorists could use to acquire the deadly agents – such as a cyber attack.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC CIP-013-1 Standard for Supply Chain Risk Management

septembre 29, 2017

NERC has filed mandatory standard CIP-013-1 for supply chain risk management, requiring controls to mitigate cyber threats and their impact to the reliable operation of the Bulk Electric System.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Identifies New Reliability Risk due to Utility Scale Solar Generation Inverter Design

juin 13, 2017

NERC has released a report documenting its findings and recommendations related to reliability risks from utility scale solar generation projects with implications for PRC-024 compliance, as well as generation, interconnection and protection system technologies.

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Mises à jour réglementaires

NERC Standard Extends Maintenance Program Obligations to Generators

février 3, 2014

The approval of NERC Standard PRC-005-2 extends protection system maintenance obligations to Generators and crates one comprehensive standard establishing minimum maintenance activities and maximum time intervals for protection systems and load shedding equipment affecting the bulk electric system.