GO-IBR Update: Upcoming New Standard PRC-030-1
Reliability and Compliance Team • September 5, 2024

Upcoming New Standard: PRC-030-1 Unexpected
Inverter-Based Resource Event Mitigation 

Applicable to NERC Generator Owner (GO) and Generator Owner-Inverter-Based Resource (GO-IBR) registered resources. For information on the upcoming NERC GO-IBR registration and category 1 and 2 definitions, see this link. 


GO-IBR resources are defined as Non-BES Inverter-Based Resources that either have or contribute to an aggregate nameplate capacity of greater than or equal to 20 MVA, connected through a system designed primarily for delivering such capacity to a common point of connection at a voltage greater than or equal to 60 kV. 


PRC-030-1 will have five (5) main actions that a GO must take: 


1. Implement a Documented Process (R1): 

  • Identify any complete facility loss of output or changes in Real Power output of at least 20 MW (and at least 10% of the plant’s gross nameplate rating) within a 4-second period. 
  • Exclusions: Changes caused by intermittent energy sources, planned outages, or system misoperations analyzed under PRC-004. 


2. Analysis of Power Changes (R2): 

  • Within 90 calendar days of a real power change event (or upon request), analyze the facility’s performance. 
  • The analysis should include: 
  • Root cause determination. 
  • Documentation of ride-through and reactive power response. 
  • Assessment of performance issues. 
  • Applicability of findings to other Inverter-Based Resource facilities. 
  • Provide the analysis results upon request to relevant entities (e.g., Reliability Coordinator, Balancing Authority). 


3. Develop a Corrective Action Plan (R3): 

  • If performance issues are identified, develop a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) within 60 calendar days, or provide technical justification if no corrective actions are needed. 
  • Transmit the CAP or justification to relevant authorities (e.g., Reliability Coordinator). 


4. Implementation of Corrective Actions (R4): 

  • Implement the CAP and notify relevant authorities if any updates or changes occur to the CAP or its timetable. 
  • Document completion of the CAP once resolved. 


5. Compliance Monitoring: 

  • Retain records for compliance audits for up to 36 calendar months after each requirement completion. 

These steps aim to ensure that the GO maintains reliable operations and takes appropriate actions when unexpected inverter-based resource events occur. 

 


To analyze the data, it first must be collected at a 4-second scan rate and preserved for 36 months.  The data must include the following: 


  • status points.
  • protective relays status, power plant control alarms, inverter alarms. 
  • Disturbance Monitoring points (where available).
  • Analog points: 
  • Inverter Watts & Vars 
  • Reactive resource Watts and Vars


Analysis would include determining if the plant was responding to a disturbance on the transmission system or if the disturbance was internal. 


For more information or to discuss your project with us, contact us at bdgroup@gridsme.com 


Upcoming NERC Level 3 Alert – Essential Updates for Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Operations and Compliance

November 8, 2024
Information regarding an upcoming NERC Alert Level 3

GridSME Welcomes Casey James to the team!

By GridSME's Grid Integration Team • November 4, 2024
Welcome Casey James: Our New Senior Meter Engineer at GridSME We are thrilled to announce that Casey James has joined the GridSME team as our Senior Meter Engineer! With over seven years of experience in metering engineering and management, Casey brings a wealth of expertise to our clients, supporting their needs in large-scale energy projects, regulatory compliance, and advanced metering solutions. Casey holds a B.S. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, specializing in Power from California State University, Sacramento, and has built a reputation as an expert in controls and metering integration, battery energy storage systems, and both retail and wholesale metering. His skills also extend to consulting on metering regulations on a national level, where he has guided critical stakeholders and driven innovation in metering standards for the evolving power sector. In previous roles, Casey has led teams of engineers and technicians across California, establishing best practices, training programs, and compliance workflows for efficient, accurate project delivery. He has been instrumental in developing metering methodologies for some of the largest solar and battery energy projects in the country and has substantial experience with CAISO-compliant inspections, SCADA implementations, and programming complex metering algorithms. At GridSME, Casey’s technical acumen and leadership will be invaluable as he works to deliver precise, reliable, and compliant metering solutions for our clients. We are excited to have him on board to help advance our mission and further support our clients in the energy industry.  Please join us in welcoming Casey to the GridSME family!
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