As Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) such as solar, wind, and batteries become increasingly prevalent in the Bulk Electric System (BES), NERC has introduced new standards and revised the registration threshold. Entities must align now to ensure reliability and meet compliance deadlines.
Here are ten practical tips to help you navigate this evolving landscape:
1. Determine Registration Applicability
Assess if your IBR assets meet NERC’s 20 MVA+ nameplate and ≥60 kV connection threshold. Registration began in May 2025, with full compliance required by May 2026.
2. Conduct a Thorough Gap Analysis
Compare your current practices, including operations, cybersecurity, and record-keeping, against new IBR-specific standards (e.g., PRC-028-1, PRC-029-1, PRC-030-1) to identify compliance shortfalls.
3. Develop a Formal Compliance Program
Document policies, procedures, and ownership responsibilities. Include dynamic model calibration, frequency & voltage ride-through limits, and disturbance event mitigation per updated reliability standards.
4. Upgrade or Retrofit Control Equipment
Ensure inverters support grid services—voltage regulation, frequency response, and ride-through. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) upgrades or firmware updates may be necessary, so start planning procurement and financing early.
5. Enhance Dynamic Modeling Accuracy
Follow NERC’s modeling guidelines: all models must reflect actual facility behavior, undergo regular updates, and be traceable from interconnection through operations.
6. Implement Continuous Monitoring & Reporting
Install tools to collect ride-through data, disturbance metrics, and event performance. This supports compliance with PRC-028-1, PRC-029-1, and PRC-030-1 and facilitates the rapid identification of anomalies.
7. Validate Models & Controls with OEMs
Collaborate closely with manufacturers to benchmark inverter behavior and validate settings. Formalize model ownership and lifecycle maintenance in documentation.
8. Train Staff on New IBR Standards
Provide formal training for engineering, operations, and compliance personnel on the updated standards, ride-through expectations, and monitoring/reporting obligations to eliminate misinterpretation or error.
9. Institute Change Management for IBR Assets
Any updates—whether code, firmware, or hardware—should flow through formal change control. Maintain versioning and impact analysis to ensure models and reports remain synchronized.
10. Engage with NERC & Industry Resources
Leverage NERC’s Registration Initiative materials, Level 2/3 Alerts, CMEP guides, and workshops. Timely replies to alerts, proactive engagement in surveys, and participation in industry forums can streamline compliance.
By following these tips, entities can effectively prepare for upcoming registration and compliance requirements, ensuring accurate modeling, fault ride-through performance, reporting, and operational alignment. Proactively leveraging OEM partnerships, monitoring tools, and NERC resources will not only reduce the risk of enforcement but also reinforce BES reliability during the ongoing energy transition.
For implementation support, policy updates, or technical modeling assistance, contact Certrec’s IBR experts at NERCExperts@certrec.com or visit www.certrec.com.
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