Changing Resource Mix

Challenges
Rich Bauer
NERC Event Analysis Principal
CEATI Webinar
October 3, 2023
 Agenda

• Changing resource mix

 Disturbances
 Modeling/simulations
o Interconnection Process
 Short circuit/protection
 Resource Adequacy
o Variable Energy
 FERC Order 881

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 NERC Disturbance Reports

Planned Upcoming Reports:

- BESS-Related Events in California in 2022

https://www.nerc.com/pa/rrm/ea/Pages/Major-Event-Reports.aspx

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 Fail to Ride-Through

• IBR facilities reduce output* during system faults

• Inverter protection is set too sensitive

• * equivalent of a generator trip

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 Fail to Ride-Through

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 NERC Activities

NERC Alert Issued

NERC Releases Level 2 Alert Focused on
Inverter-Based Resource Performance Issues
for Generator Owners

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, NERC issued the Inverter-Based Resource Performance Issues Alert, which is
being distributed to Generator Owners (GOs) of Bulk Electric System (BES) solar photovoltaic (PV) generating
resources. This alert comes after NERC analyzed multiple large-scale disturbances involving widespread loss
of inverter-based resources (IBRs), which resulted in abnormal performance across several BES solar PV
generating resources. These resources have exhibited systemic performance issues that could lead to
potential widespread outages if they persist. As the penetration of BPS-connected IBRs continues to rapidly
increase, it is paramount that any performance deficiencies with existing and future generating resources be
addressed in an effective and efficient manner.

As a Level 2 Alert, this document contains recommendations for specific actions that should be taken, and
entities registered under the GO function are required to acknowledge receipt and respond to a series of
questions. Responses are due by 12:00 a.m. Eastern on June 30, 2023. NERC strongly recommends that
registered GOs also adopt the recommendations and supply data for their non-BES solar PV facilities so that
NERC can more comprehensively assess potential BPS reliability risks in this area. While entities other than
GOs are not required to submit a response, NERC also advises that all registered entities assess the content
of the alert for applicability to their operations and incorporate recommendations where possible.

The rapid interconnection of IBRs is one of the most significant drivers of grid transformation and poses a
high risk to grid reliability. For more information on NERC’s current and future work to mitigate emerging
risks associated with IBR performance issues, please view the IBR Activities Quick Reference Guide and the
Inverter-Based Resource Strategy. The quick reference guide consolidates the work that the ERO Enterprise
has done regarding this topic and is regularly updated by the subject matter experts to reflect new additions.
The strategy includes four key focus areas: risk analysis, interconnection process improvements, sharing best
practices, and industry education and regulatory enhancements. Each focus area includes specific activities
and work items that are described in more detail throughout the strategy document.

The ERO Enterprise remains committed to identifying and working toward solutions to better manage the
complex reliability challenges facing industry during this time of unprecedented change.

For more information or assistance, please contact Alex Shattuck (via email).
Twitter @NERC_Official | LinkedIn

3353 Peachtree Road NE

Suite 600, North Tower

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 NERC Activities

• EOP-004 SAR
 Standards Project 2023-01
• PRC-004 SAR
 Standards Project 2023-06
• PRC-002 SAR
 Standards Project 2021-04 Phase 2
• PRC-024 SAR
 Project 2020-02

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 Agenda

• Changing resource mix

 Disturbances
 Modeling/simulations
o Interconnection Process
 Short circuit/protection
 Resource Adequacy
o Variable Energy
 FERC Order 881

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 Models/Simulations

• Models are submitted by Generator Owner during the

Interconnection Process
• Transmission Planners use the Models to study the generator
interconnection
• Vast majority of existing models do not accurately represent
actual behavior of IBRs

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 FERC NOPR

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 LGIA

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 LGIA

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 NERC Activities

• EMT for IBR Reliability Guideline

• Standards Project 2022-04 – EMT Modeling
 FAC-002, TPL-001, MOD-032
• Potential Alert
• Potential FAC-001 and FAC-002 Standard Revision

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 Agenda

• Changing resource mix

 Disturbances
 Modeling/simulations
o Interconnection Process
 Short circuit/protection
 Resource Adequacy
o Variable Energy
 FERC Order 881

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 IEEE PES Technical Report #68

• BPS challenges with increasing

penetration of inverter-based
resources
• Transmission protection impacts
• Large system stability issues
• Design and control philosophy
changes

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 Short Circuit Characteristic

• Lack of Negative Sequence

• Behavior is not predictable
• Limited short circuit current

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 Help is on the way?

Reactive current injection

requirement
Negative Sequence current
injection requirement

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 Short Circuit Modeling

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 Short Circuit Modeling

Does not work for IBR

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 Short Circuit Modeling

• Voltage Dependent
Current Source
• Look up tables for I1
and I2
• OOPS! Has problems!
• Tables are
independent

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 Short circuit is changing

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 NERC Activities

• IEEE PSRC C45 Working Group

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 Agenda

• Changing resource mix

 Disturbances
 Modeling/simulations
o Interconnection Process
 Short circuit/protection
 Resource Adequacy
o Variable Energy
 FERC Order 881

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 Historic Planning

• Peak Hour Planning

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 Fuel Availability

• 2014 Polar Vortex Report Cold and Fuel Issues

• ~ 20000 MW
unavailable due to
fuel unavailable
• ~ 20000 MW
unavailable due to
freezing

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 August 14-15 CAISO event

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 August 14-15 CAISO event

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 NERC Activities

• Project 2022-03 Energy Assurance with Energy-Constrained

Resources

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 Agenda

• Changing resource mix

 Disturbances
 Modeling/simulations
o Interconnection Process
 Short circuit/protection
 Resource Adequacy
o Variable Energy
 FERC Order 881

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 Background

• PRC-023 Transmission Relay Loadability

o Criteria 1 – 150% of the highest seasonal 4 hour Rating
o Criteria 2 – 115% of the highest seasonal 15 minute Rating
• From the 2005 SPCTF Working Paper on Relay Loadability
o That rating will typically be the winter short-term rating of the line and series
elements.

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 FERC Order 881

• December 16, 2021 FERC

issued Order 881
• May 19, 2022 FERC issued
Order 881A (Rehearing and
Clarification)

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 FERC Order 881

• The order revised the pro forma OATT to require:

• Seasonal Line Ratings
• Ambient-Adjusted transmission line Ratings (AARs) determined
at least hourly (near term – 10 days)

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 FERC Order 881

• Seasonal Line Ratings

 At least four seasons
 Reasonably reflect portions of the year where expected high
temperatures are relatively consistent
 Calculated at least Annually
 Use up-to-date temperature forecast

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 FERC Order 881

• Ambient-Adjusted transmission line Ratings (AARs)

 determined at least hourly
 Used for near-term transmission service (10 days to real time)
 Reflects forecasted ambient temperature
 Reflects the absence of solar heating during nighttime

AAR Hourly Rating

Seasonal Rating

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 Impact to PRC-023

Criteria:
1. Set transmission line relays so they do not operate at or below 150% of the
highest seasonal Facility Rating of a circuit, for the available defined loading
duration nearest 4 hours.
2. Set transmission line relays so they do not operate at or below 115% of the
highest seasonal 15-minute Facility Rating1 of a circuit.

• What is highest seasonal Facility Rating?

• Is that the highest anticipated hourly AAR?

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 Order 881A

• “we clarify that, if, as a result of favorable ambient conditions,

a transmission provider establishes a higher transfer capability
than the currently determined maximum facility ratings, the
transmission provider must evaluate its applicable protection
systems for that facility in order to comply with Reliability
Standard PRC-023-4 and prevent protection settings from
limiting transmission loadability.”

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 Rich Bauer
Office (404) 446-9738
Cell (404) 357-9843
rich.bauer@nerc.net

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 FERC Order 881

• Ambient-Adjusted transmission line Ratings (AARs)

 determined at least hourly
 Used for near-term transmission service (10 days to real time)
 Reflects forecasted ambient temperature
 Reflects the absence of solar heating during nighttime

AAR Hourly Rating

Single ambient
temperature Rating

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