The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on July 24 approved reliability standards aimed at protecting grid reliability as intermittent power generation technologies increase penetration of the grid.
The standards are the latest in the Commission’s series of grid reliability orders pertaining to what are called “inverter-based resources (IBRs),” most commonly wind and solar generators.
Developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the standards address critical issues regarding IBR performance and require IBRs stay connected to the grid during voltage and frequency disturbances to avoid the loss of power from IBRs (“ride-through” capability). Past incidents have illustrated the need for such standards.
These standards are a response to the broader directive issued by FERC’s Order No. 901, issued in October 2023, which instructed NERC to develop comprehensive IBR-related reliability standards over a three-year period.
“This is an important step toward ensuring that inverter-based resources support, rather than threaten, the reliability of the Bulk Power System,” FERC Chairman Mark Christie said. “I am appreciative of NERC’s hard work and application of their technical expertise in developing these necessary reliability standards.”
The final rule largely adopts the proposals from the Commission’s December 2024 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
Historically, most mandatory reliability standards were designed for traditional synchronous generators. IBRs use power electronics to convert direct current to alternating current.
FERC said the July 24 action ensures these resources are required to meet reliability expectations similar to synchronous generators.
The final rule becomes effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
