Illinois and Indiana
As a trusted advisor to EDP Renewables, TRC is providing Arc Flash Studies for multiple wind farms being installed across the Midwestern United States.
Our team uses the Electrical Power System Analysis & Operation (ETAP) Software to calculate the incident energy levels at different areas of the collector stations and the wind turbines themselves (both at the base and at the nacelle). We simulate various configurations to determine the maximum incident energy at each specific location. Once the maximum incident energy and arc flash boundary values are determined, TRC develops the arc flash study and provides arc flash labels for each piece of equipment at the site.
This arc flash study allowed EDP Renewables to place – where needed – arc flash labels to depict important safety information and proper protective gear for staff who may have to work on any of the equipment in the future.
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Sharing Our Perspectives
Our practitioners share their insights and perspectives on the trends and challenges shaping the market.
NERC Approves IBR Related Standards Impacting Renewable Generation
October 31, 2024
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.”
NERC Proposes Changes to Registration Criteria for Inverter Based Resources (IBRs)
April 19, 2024
NERC has submitted for FERC approval new compliance criteria for the registration of IBRs as part of continuing efforts to address reliability risks. It is critical for renewable energy developers, generation owners and transmission owners to understand the potential implications for interconnection studies and interconnection queues.
Webinar Replay
March 26, 2024
TRC’s panel of practitioners discuss the Hydrogen Hub (H2Hub) funding provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL).
FERC Order 901 Calls for Standards to Address IBR Reliability Gaps
November 27, 2023
Inverter Based Resources are playing central role when it comes to adding new electric generation capacity into the bulk power system.
NERC Releases Inverter Based Resources Webinar Series
October 19, 2023
As the power delivery system continues to rapidly evolve due to decarbonization policy initiatives, inverter-based resources (IBRs) are playing an ever-more significant role in generation additions to the bulk power system. NERC and other technical organizations have taken numerous actions to support the reliable integration of these resources.
FERC Issues Order 2023 to Resolve Interconnection Process Issues
September 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
Offshore Wind: A Critical Energy Solution on the Path to Grid Resiliency and Decarbonization
August 29, 2023
As the urgency to decarbonize and build resiliency grows, renewable energy continues to be a pivotal solution for reshaping the future of power in the U.S. From solar to wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass, each renewable resource has its sweet spot for efficient development, deployment and optimal performance. And while they all have their own pros and cons, it is imperative that we leverage them all into the energy mix to achieve decarbonization goals and ensure adequate capacity to meet increasing load demands.
Intro to NERC Regulatory Guidance on Inverter-Based Resources
August 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.
FERC Approves Plan to Register Certain Inverter-Based Resources as part of NERC Mandatory Standards Compliance Program
June 21, 2023
FERC issued an order approving NERC’s compliance filings.
Insights from the Odessa II Power System Disturbance
February 22, 2023
NERC and TRE release the Odessa II Power System Disturbance Report
New FERC Orders Will Change Regulatory Process for Inverter Based Resources
January 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.
NERC Releases Inverter-Based Resource Strategy Plan
October 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.
New NERC Guidance Supports the Implementation of Grid Forming Inverters
March 8, 2022
NERC has issued a new report highlighting the key attributes of various inverter controls to support proper implementation and to protect reliability.
Decarbonization: A Systems-Level Challenge and Actions to Address Climate Change
December 7, 2021
Carbon elimination of the magnitude needed to address climate change requires systems-level change that can only be reached by incremental, ground-up progress, building upon what we have achieved thus far.
How Do Energy Storage Systems Work?
October 18, 2021
For more than five decades, TRC has brought efficient, resilient energy systems to the world. We understand the challenges of implementing energy storage projects.
NERC’s Generator Relay Loadability Standard is Now in Effect
August 30, 2021
Many companies want to harness the power of green energy. Doing so depends on finding the proper method of deploying this type of energy once it has been produced. Renewable energy requires a reliable and accessible storage method, and a battery energy storage system (BESS) can assist with these needs. Understanding the components of battery energy storage may give energy producers better power system flexibility and allow a more significant level of integration of renewable energy. BESS function similarly to the battery used in a flashlight, storing and offering power when needed. However, a BESS works on a larger scale and charges differently. It relies on algorithms to determine when energy should be produced and sent to the grid. By syncing this release with the periods when energy sees the most demand (energy peaks), electricity costs remain stable, and the supply keeps coming.
NERC Seeks to Improve GADS Reliability Performance Reporting
August 26, 2021
Under the enabling legislation that created the Electric Reliability Organization, NERC is responsible for assessing the reliable performance of the power system. One way NERC does so is via an industry reporting system for generation and transmission. The Generator Availability Data System (GADS) has been used by NERC and the industry for over 40 years to obtain data on the generation component of the power system[1]. Due to the rapidly changing generating resource mix, it is essential that NERC have comprehensive plant, event, outage and performance data for photovoltaic and wind generation to ensure reliability. As renewable technologies are increasingly deployed, a complete set of generation asset performance statistics is necessary to allow NERC to evaluate the system’s ability to serve load, the performance of the power system and to forecast any potential reliability issues due to resource inadequacy. Therefore, NERC is proposing to make the following enhancements to the GADS data collection process for renewable generation: Add Generator Owners that operate solar photovoltaic facilities of 20 MW or greater to the Generating Availability Data System (referred to as “GADS-PV”); and Expand GADS Wind (“GADS-W”) reporting to include connected energy storage and event reporting.
The Economics of Transitioning to Renewables
May 15, 2021
One of the biggest obstacles involved with the transition to renewable energy is speculation about its economic impact. Some worry that switching to renewables will cause instability in the economy, leading to job losses. Many communities across the United States rely on the economic impact of producing, manufacturing or otherwise taking part in the use of hydrocarbons.
Environmental Impacts of Transitioning to Renewables
May 15, 2021
The transition to renewable energy sources will have notable environmental impacts as well as economic impacts. To understand the possible implications, you’ll need some background knowledge of the ways fossil fuels affect the environment.
Transitioning Away From Hydrocarbons
May 15, 2021
The transition from oil and gas to renewables has involved complicated technological research. Sustainable energy production has become a priority around the world. Although the transition has been slow, technological advancements are promising. When approaching an energy transition, leaders should consider all different possible avenues and their potential impacts. Many alternative energy sources are available, each with its own pros and cons.
How to Take a Renewable Project From Planning to Construction
May 15, 2021
A widespread societal shift is underway — now is the time to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and begin renewable energy projects. Among those who should participate are utility companies. They can demonstrate good social consciousness and enjoy notable returns on investment (ROI) by implementing renewable energy projects. In this chapter, you’ll learn about the process of investing in renewables. Use this renewable energy project development guide to help you get started.
NERC Issues Battery Energy Storage Systems Reliability Guidance
April 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.
TRC Talks – Integrated Solutions for Renewable Energy
April 7, 2021
Close coordination when planning the electrical and civil design components of a renewable energy project is critical to development success. Working with a multi-disciplinary team can streamline approval processes and ensure optimum constructability.
NERC Proposes Revision of Pending TPL-001-5.1 Standard
January 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.
City of Camarillo, California approves moving forward with Hybrid Solar Microgrids at five critical community facilities
November 6, 2020
On October 28, the Camarillo City Council unanimously approved moving forward with the design of Hybrid Microgrids at five City facilities: City Hall, the Corporation Yard, Camarillo Public Library, Police Station, and Wastewater Treatment Plant. The microgrid at the Camarillo Public Library will be designed with solar+storage only, while the other four sites will employ a hybrid design of solar+storage+diesel.
TRC Digital partners with Dominion Energy to evolve its distributed energy resource strategy
September 22, 2020
Dominion Energy, one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, has partnered with TRC Digital to evaluate, implement and integrate technology to further the utility’s distributed energy goals. TRC Digital will facilitate Dominion Energy’s strategy development and technology execution, allowing Dominion Energy and its customers to accelerate the shift to distributed energy resources (DER) and net carbon reduction.
TRC Digital and Enbala can help utilities monitor, control and optimize distributed energy resources
April 17, 2020
Distributed energy resources (DERs) are changing the way utilities think about power generation and energy flow. TRC and Enbala can offer utilities a multi-layered solution that highlights the strengths of each company.
NERC to Modify Standard and Develop Compliance Guidance to Accommodate Inverter-Based Generation Technologies
February 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…
TRC’s 2018 Predictions: Infrastructure Initiatives Intensify, Grids Get Smarter and Renewables Remain All the Rage
December 13, 2017
LOWELL, Mass. – TRC Companies Inc., a leader in engineering, environmental consulting and construction-management services, today released its top predictions for 2018, which include federal and state governments pumping trillions into the nation’s aging infrastructure and utilities building smarter, more balanced grids.
NERC Identifies New Reliability Risk due to Utility Scale Solar Generation Inverter Design
June 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.
Seeking a new FERC license for your hydroelectric project? Here are the 2 key questions to ask.
March 22, 2017
Across the U.S., Department of Energy data show that some 2,200 hydroelectric projects produce more than 6 percent of all the electricity we consume, which amounts to more than one-third of all power generated in 2015 from renewable sources. Operations of many existing hydroelectric projects are governed by 30- to 50-year licenses issued by the…
Successful Interconnection of Utility Scale Solar Projects – Strategies to Stay on Schedule and on Budget
November 2, 2016
Growth in solar power creates challenges for both project proponents and utilities. TRC has reviewed hundreds of interconnection applications for utility partners, and we’ve learned important strategies for reducing the time and costs associated with interconnecting projects 1 megawatt or greater.
Regional analysis of wind turbine-caused bat mortality
July 30, 2015
Wind energy has been the fastest-growing renewable energy source in the world. Studies have estimated bat fatalities at wind facilities, but direct comparisons of results is difficult and can be misleading due to numerous differences in protocols and methods used. We had a unique opportunity to compare fatality estimates from three wind facilities in southeastern