Helping You Make Smart Decisions About Your Power System
Planning analyses and impact studies for investor owned utilities, merchant power plant developers, independent system operators and commercial/ industrial facilities.
The power industry is rapidly evolving as renewable energy generation and distributed energy resources revolutionize our energy systems. Shifting regulatory and system requirements are changing the utility landscape, adding new levels of complexity for system operators. Timely planning and thoughtful system assessments are critical to managing electrical utility infrastructure. Meeting the rising need for these studies requires expert resources you can rely on to work seamlessly with all stakeholders.
With an experienced professional staff, TRC helps clients make smarter decisions about their power systems. Our planning analyses and impact studies address complex issues related to electric delivery systems and the technical requirements of distribution providers, transmission owners, independent system operators and regional reliability councils.
TRC has performed more than 600 transmission and distribution planning studies across the United States to analyze the system interconnection impact of wind, solar, storage, combined-cycle gas, biomass fueled and hydro-electric generators.
Plan for System Expansions and Protect Reliability
Comprehensive power system studies are crucial to the longevity of your operations, and TRC has the hands-on knowledge necessary to complete in-depth analyses of the issues related to your electric delivery system.
Our work involves rigorously assessing your transmission and distribution systems so that the integration of new resources does not adversely affect system reliability and operations. With extensive experience across various operating areas nationwide, we can efficiently adapt processes and procedures to meet the unique objectives of each client.
Transmission Planning Services
- Transmission System Expansion Studies
- System Impact Studies
- Power Flow, Short Circuit and Stability Studies
- Reliability and Operational Studies
- Switching Studies
- Regional Power Flow and Dynamic Base Case Development in both PSLF and PSSE
- Stead-State, Dynamic and Short-Circuit Studies for Generation Additions
- Generation and Emergency Generation Analysis
- Generator Interconnection Application Support
- NERC TPL and MOD Compliance Studies
- Feasibility Studies
- Model Development
- ISO and RTO System Addition Compliance Studies
- TOV, TRV, and Insulation Studies
- Reactive Compensation Analysis
- Thermal Capacity/Ampacity Studies
Distribution Planning Services
- Distribution System Expansion Studies
- Distributed Generation Studies
- Hosting Capacity Analysis
- System Impact Studies
- Power Flow, Short Circuit and Stability Studies
- Volt/VAR Analysis
- Protective Relay Coordination Studies
- Arc Flash Studies
- Time Series Analysis
- Model Development
- Techno-Economic Analysis
- Capacitor Bank Switching and Application Studies
- Short-Circuit Fault Analysis
- Motor Start Analysis
- Voltage Drop Studies
- Loss Analysis
- Cable and Conductor Sizing
Production Cost Modeling Services
- Integrated Resource Planning/Integrated System Planning
- Emission Reduction Analysis (Nox)
- Forecasting
- Risk Management & Hedge Compliance
- Generator Decommission Studies
- Climate Change Impact Studies
- Renewable Integration Impact Analysis
- Transmission Congestion & Expansion Studies
- Capacity Expansion & Reliability Assessments
- Market Design & policy Impact Analysis
- Independent Review of Utility IRPs
NERC Compliance Services
- 5-Year Transmission Planning Studies – EOP-005 (Black Start/System Restoration), PRC-006 (UFLS), & PRC-010 (UVLS)
- FAC-008 – Facility Ratings Certification Studies
- TPL-001 – Annual Long Term Planning Analysis
- VAR – 001- GSU Tap Setting Studies
- FAC-001/FAC-002 – Transmission interconnection Requirements & ISO/RTO Facility Ratings Certification
- FAC-008 – Facility Ratings Certification
- MOD-025/026/027 – Generator Load Flow Modeling Validation/Verification
- MOD-032/MOD-033 – Steady State / Dynamic Stability Modeling and Load Forecasting
- TPL-001 – Transmission Planning Analysis
- TOP-001 – EMS Real-time Modeling
- TOP-002 – Next Day Studies Modeling
- TOP-010 – EMS Power Flow Model Accuracy (Ratings, impedances, contingency analysis)
- VAR-001/VAR-002 – Generator Unit Voltage Schedules & GSU Tap Setting Ratios
Capacity Expansion Planning
Discover data-driven approaches that help you expand your project portfolio.
System Optimization (Production Cost Modeling)
Determining the optimal dispatch and scheduling of generation resources is essential to meet electricity demand while minimizing costs.
Related Materials
NERC CIP-014 Compliance Support & Services (Physical Security)
NERC CIP-014 Compliance Support & Services (Physical Security) Published June 26, 2024
NERC Compliance Solutions for Registered Distribution Providers (DP)
Published June 26, 2024
FAC-008-5 (Facility Ratings)
Published June 26, 2024
CIP-014-3 (Physical Security) – Post Assessment Support
Published June 26, 2024
NERC O&P Compliance for Registered Transmission Operators
Published June 26, 2024
Power System Studies Practice Overview
Published May 29, 2024
NERC O&P Compliance for Registered Transmission Planners (TP)
Published July 3, 2024
NERC Compliance Support Services – Powerflow Model Management
Published July 8, 2024
Adapt to Evolving Power System Requirements- Contact TRC Today
Maximize your project efficiency with TRC’s power system studies solutions. We leverage deep knowledge of regulations, stakeholder interests and cutting-edge technology to deliver optimal results. Contact us today to discuss your project needs.
Sharing Our Perspectives
Our practitioners share their insights and perspectives on the trends and challenges shaping the market.
NERC Releases 2024 State of Reliability Report
September 19, 2024
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently released its 2024 State of Reliability report, examining power system performance in calendar year 2023.
Facility Ratings Compliance Through a Corporate Community Approach
August 30, 2024
Facility Ratings play a critical role in the reliable planning and operation of the Bulk Electric System (BES) and yet maintaining compliance with relevant NERC standards remains an industry challenge.
NERC Proposes Clarifications to EOP Cold Weather Standards
March 26, 2024
NERC has submitted proposed revisions to the EOP-012-2 – Extreme Cold Weather Preparedness and Operations standard, for FERC approval on an expedited basis. The proposed revisions address the remaining key recommendations from the FERC–NERC Joint Inquiry Report into Winter Storm Uri and directives arising from a 2023 FERC Order regarding the previously submitted cold weather standards.
NERC & FERC Release Winter Storm Elliott Report
January 2, 2024
NERC and FERC have released their final report on Winter Storm Elliott which provides reinforcement for recommendations in prior cold weather-related disturbance event reports. The Report identifies critical reliability performance shortcomings and the reliability related near misses. NERC states that a crisis was “narrowly dodged.” The Report outlines the steps the industry must take to avoid a repeat in the future.
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.
Insights from the Odessa II Power System Disturbance
February 22, 2023
NERC and TRE release the Odessa II Power System Disturbance Report
NERC Releases 2022 State of Reliability Report
September 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:
FERC Issues Notice of Inquiry Regarding Dynamic Line Ratings
April 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.
FERC & NERC Issue Joint Report on Freeze Reliability Failures
December 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.
NERC Accelerates Additional Cold Weather Standards Changes
November 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.
PRC-002-2 Disturbance Monitoring and Reporting Standard: Initial Mandatory Implementation Plan Dates Approach
November 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.
New Potential Compliance Standards Identified at FERC Technical Conference on Reliability
October 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.
NERC’s FAC-008 Guidance on Facility Ratings
May 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 2020 State of Reliability Report
September 22, 2020
The Report identifies areas of ongoing concern including generation reserve margins and the reliability risk from shifting the resource mix toward renewables.
NERC Reliability Standard PRC-024-3 Approved: Frequency and Voltage Protection Settings for Generating Resources
July 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.
NERC Reliability Report Prioritizes Power System Risks
November 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.
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.
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.