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Regulatory Update

NERC Approves IBR Related Standards Impacting Renewable Generation

Dwayne Stradford | October 31, 2024

On October 8, 2024, NERC’s Board of Trustees approved standard PRC-029-1 that sets inverter-based resources (IBR) performance requirements for ride-through events. Additionally, PRC-024-4 has been modified to limit its applicability to synchronous machines. The standards will soon be filed and pending final approval from FERC. NERC also voted to improve the definition of ride through to include the “ability to withstand voltage or frequency disturbances inside defined limits and to continue operating as specified.” Compared to the previous definition, the new definition offers specificity to the limits, opposed to referring to the system “in its entirety.”

The new standards set stringent stability criteria for IBRs based on the different dynamic responses to disturbances compared to traditional synchronous generators. Under these standards integrating IBRs will need to assess system stability impacts of their proposed projects and potentially turn to more grid supportive technologies, such as grid forming inverters as opposed to grid following inverters which are currently the typical choice.

Following actions taken by NERC to address current industry standards and improvements to the proposed PRC-029-1, revisions made to the standard include:

  • The revised definition for the term, “Ride-through;”
  • Align frequency ride-through criteria with IEEE 2800-2022 values;
  • Allow for a limited documented set of exemptions for hardware-based limitations for frequency ride-through criteria;
  • Allows Generator Owners to share information deemed by the original equipment manufacturer as proprietary with the compliance enforcement Authority.

A comprehensive discussion of the proposed PRC-029-1 standard can be found by reviewing the memo to the NERC Board of Trustees issued on September 24, 2024. TRC clients are encouraged to review the new standards and related materials and then to consider the potential impact on their renewable IBR integration and NERC compliance activities.

NERC IBR Registration Initiative

In parallel with the approved standard, NERC is actively implementing a program to register IBR resources. NERC’s IBR Registration Initiative Q4 2024 Update showcases progress made, highlights key activities in Legal, Registration, Standards, Stakeholder Outreach, and E-ISAC Engagements and provides available resources. This update was developed as part of NERC’s ongoing efforts to ensure to ensure industry and stakeholders are kept informed throughout this critical, three-phase project. More information on this project is available in the IBR Registration Initiative Quick Reference Guide.

TRC has qualified specialists to assist you and your NERC compliance program to stay ahead of the curve on the coming IBR-related standards changes.

Resources:

NERC 2020-02 Standard Development Project page
September 24, 2024 memo to the NERC Board of Trustees outlining the PRC-029-1 issues
NERC IBR Registration Initiative Q4 Report
NERC Compliance Support Services – Renewable Energy Projects
NERC Compliance for Registered Generator Operators and Owners

About TRC’s NERC Compliance Practice:

TRC’s approach to power system development and operational performance analysis, balances solutions that incorporate appropriate standards, regulatory requirements, best practices, and operational goals and budgets. Our work for public and private sector utility clients is a testament to our understanding of NERC compliance related aspects of your business. Our successful application of technology solutions in a constantly evolving business and regulatory landscape will provide you with confidence regarding your power system compliance programs. 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 Security standards and guidelines as well as industry “best practices” and the latest technology developments.

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.

Dwayne Stradford

Dwayne Stradford serves as TRC’s NERC Compliance Director in the Power Division. He is leading and coordinating TRC’s NERC compliance support services with our various power utility clients. He is an accomplished, diverse energy professional with over 30 years of engineering experience regarding real-time transmission operations, short/long term transmission planning, NERC Reliability Compliance Standards (both NERC-CIP and NERC O&P), Transmission Reliability Assurance, utility scale renewables integration, FERC Regulatory/RTO policy, and Project Management. He spent the bulk of his career (close to two decades) working for AEP but has considerable working experience in the electric utility industry as a professional consultant. He has worked with utility clients on transmission and generation related projects in all three interconnections, so he has breadth of regional BES experience throughout the entire country. Please contact Dwayne Stradford for more information.

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