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.
NERC has begun providing educational resources to technical experts working in power delivery and recently released the recordings and slides from its 11-part webinar series on IBR technology issues, tools, and techniques. The series gives a complete overview of current challenges, from a fundamental understanding of IBR technology to the more complex and emerging reliability risk issues. Along with the webinars, NERC released an FAQ document covering the general themes identified in the more than 1000 comments and questions received throughout the series.
Next Steps
To stay ahead of reliability risk issues, TRC recommends utility planning and interconnection personnel review the webinar series for insights into the technical challenges created by high penetrations of IBs. It is important to closely track IBRs for more accurate modeling of both real-time and offline power flow assessments. Improving the documentation of IBR penetration to enhance load forecasting models is especially crucial for companies that experience stagnant or declining load demand trends, as these trends may be attributed to the widespread adoption of rooftop solar panels and residential battery storage units. To distinguish between load and IBR sources downstream on the distribution network, TRC recommends initiating the representation of these components on various buses. TRC’s own subject matter experts are staying engaged with the topic to better assist your in-house teams. In certain areas of the US there will be significant changes (e.g., where the IBR penetration is high) and the learning provided by this webinar series may not have been fully considered in interconnection studies. TRC can provide skilled and experienced staff augmentation in this area to facilitate delivery of the system studies that include the Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) analysis needed to maintain the reliable operation of the Bulk Power System.
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TRC closely follows the national and state regulatory trends in all regions of North America. Our approach to power system security, engineering, planning, design, construction and commissioning testing, balances solutions that incorporate industry reliability risk trends, mandatory reliability standard requirements, regulatory guidance, compliance obligations, best practices, operational goals, and budgets. With expertise in power system security, engineering, planning and operations, TRC supports public utilities and private energy providers in their efforts to stay ahead of the curve and to meet or exceed regulatory requirements as they evolve.
This regulatory update is provided as a service to TRC’s utility clients, helping to keep you informed of forward-looking issues that will impact your company’s electric system reliability risks along with related topics regarding regulatory developments to help you achieve your company’s business goals.
Jim Whitaker, PE
Jim Whitaker, PE is Supervisor of Power Systems Studies at TRC. He has over 30 years of experience in Transmission and Distribution Planning, and Substation, Transmission and Distribution Engineering. His Transmission Planning projects include coordinating joint/regional 10-year transmission plans, generator interconnections, regional system assessments, as well as NERC compliance studies. His projects have included studies for both Utilities and Project Developers across the United States in the Eastern and Western Interconnection transmission systems as well as ERCOT. Prior to joining TRC, Jim worked for Xcel Energy, Peak Power Engineering, Tucson Electric Power and Virginia Power. Contact Jim at JWhitaker@trccompanies.com