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NERC Alert: Ensuring Reliability in Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Model Quality

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May 14, 2025 | Blog

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Introduction

As solar, wind, and battery-based Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) rapidly expand across the Bulk Power System (BPS), NERC has identified reliability risks due to poor model quality. On June 4, 2024, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) issued a Level 2 Industry Recommendation Alert addressing widespread IBR dynamic modeling deficiencies.

At Keentel Engineering, we help Generator Owners (GOs), Transmission Planners (TPs), and Planning Coordinators (PCs) align with these NERC recommendations, supporting compliance, planning accuracy, and system stability across all interconnection and reliability study phases.

The Issue: Real Events Trigger Real Concerns

Between 2016 and 2024, over 15,000 MW of IBR generation was lost during disturbances—10,000 MW of which occurred in just the last four years. Investigations revealed that modeling inaccuracies and poor validation were major contributing factors.

This NERC alert urges all responsible entities to improve their dynamic models to avoid large-scale grid failures.

Who Is Impacted by the NERC IBR Alert?

  • Generator Owners (GOs) of BPS-connected IBRs: PV, wind, BESS, hybrids
  • Transmission Planners (TPs) and Planning Coordinators (PCs)
  • Inverter manufacturers, plant controller vendors, and consultants

NERC Alert: Key Recommendations

1. Accurate and Validated Models

  • Models must match as-built configurations and behavior
  • Validate both inverter and plant-level models
  • Maintain benchmarking proof of accuracy

2. Standard PSPD Models: Base Case Only

  • Use only for system-wide base cases
  • Do not use for local studies without verification

3. Use Equipment-Specific Models

  • Required for local studies and interconnection requests
  • Must include validation reports and  .dll  files

4–5. Model Submission & QA

  • TPs/PCs should define submission standards
  • Must accept PSPD and EMT validated models

6–8. GO Responsibilities

  • Work with manufacturers on model accuracy
  • Keep models up to date with lifecycle changes
  • Ensure models are ready for TP/PC submissions

Proof of model accuracy (e.g., benchmarking reports) must be maintained.

NERC Compliance Deadlines

Requirement Due Date
Acknowledgment Submission June 11, 2024
Full Report Submission September 2, 2024

Additional notes:

  • Each GO must submit a Data Submission Worksheet
  • TPs/PCs must respond to modeling practice questions

Why Model Quality Matters

Inaccurate models impair planners’ ability to simulate grid response accurately. Even small mismatches can cause cascading outages. NERC’s alert emphasizes that reliability starts with high-fidelity models reflecting real-world performance.

How Keentel Engineering Supports Compliance

Keentel Engineering offers complete technical support for NERC alert response:

  • PSPD and EMT model validation
  • Manufacturer coordination for conformance
  • Benchmarking report preparation
  • Submission worksheet completion
  • NERC documentation and review assistance

FAQs on NERC IBR Modeling Alert

  • What is the alert about?

    To address systemic inaccuracies in dynamic IBR models.

  • Who must respond?

    GOs, TPs, and PCs with BPS-connected IBRs.

  • What models are required?

    PSPD, EMT, and standard library (case-dependent).

  • What are equipment-specific models?

    Custom, validated inverter models matching site behavior.

  • Why are standard models not enough?

    They lack customization and dynamic fidelity.

  • How are models validated?

    Through benchmarking and performance comparison.

  • What’s in a benchmarking report?

    Comparisons of model types vs. real equipment behavior.

  • When must models be updated?

    After any hardware/firmware/control change.

  • What are ‘qualified changes’?

    Changes impacting behavior per FAC-002-4.

  • Impact on interconnection studies?

    Only validated models are accepted near study zones.

  • Is EMT always required?

    No, only for EMT-driven studies.

  • TP/PC responsibilities?

    Define requirements, verify submissions.

  • Can vendors help?

    Yes, they should provide validated parameters and models.

  • Is the alert enforceable?

    Yes under NERC’s Rules of Procedure (non-compliance may be flagged).

  • How can Keentel help?

    We provide end-to-end validation, worksheet support, and model integration for compliance.

Compliance Starts with Accuracy – Let’s Talk

Is your organization ready to respond by the September 2 deadline?

Keentel Engineering can manage the full model validation and submission lifecycle, giving you clarity and confidence under NERC scrutiny.

A smiling man with glasses and a beard wearing a blue blazer stands in front of server racks in a data center.

About the Author:

Sandip "Sonny" R. Patel, P.E.

IEEE Senior Member · Founder & CEO, Keentel Engineering

In 1995, Sonny Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois. But degrees don't build legacies — action does.

For three decades, he has worked the power industry from every side of the table: 16 years as a utility engineer at Exelon/Commonwealth Edison; generation leadership across hydroelectric, industrial steam turbine, and a 9 GW renewable fleet; NERC Regional Entity Senior Compliance Engineer and Audit Team Lead, auditing some of the nation's largest utilities; and testing and commissioning lead on equipment up to 765 kV — the very top of the North American grid.

Utility. Generator. Regulator. Consultant. Few engineers have seen all four seats. Fewer still have sat in them.His experience spans nuclear, hydro, conventional generation, renewables, oil and gas, mining — and today's data centers, where he is authoring a three-book series on data center design. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in six states and a Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida (Unlimited EC) — he doesn't just design the work; he's qualified to stand behind its execution.Today, as Founder and CEO of Keentel Engineering, Sonny leads 51 engineers delivering substation design, power system studies, NERC compliance, and commissioning — done right, coast to coast.Three decades. Every side of the table. One standard: accountable engineering

Four workers in safety vests and helmets stand with arms crossed near wind turbines.

Let's Discuss Your Project

Let's book a call to discuss your electrical engineering project that we can help you with.

Man in a blazer and open shirt, looking at the camera, against a blurred background.

About the Author:

Sandip "Sonny" R. Patel, P.E.

IEEE Senior Member · Founder & CEO, Keentel Engineering

In 1995, Sonny Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois. But degrees don't build legacies — action does.

For three decades, he has worked the power industry from every side of the table: 16 years as a utility engineer at Exelon/Commonwealth Edison; generation leadership across hydroelectric, industrial steam turbine, and a 9 GW renewable fleet; NERC Regional Entity Senior Compliance Engineer and Audit Team Lead, auditing some of the nation's largest utilities; and testing and commissioning lead on equipment up to 765 kV — the very top of the North American grid.Utility. Generator. Regulator. Consultant. Few engineers have seen all four seats. Fewer still have sat in them.His experience spans nuclear, hydro, conventional generation, renewables, oil and gas, mining — and today's data centers, where he is authoring a three-book series on data center design. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in six states and a Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida (Unlimited EC) — he doesn't just design the work; he's qualified to stand behind its execution.Today, as Founder and CEO of Keentel Engineering, Sonny leads 51 engineers delivering substation design, power system studies, NERC compliance, and commissioning — done right, coast to coast.Three decades. Every side of the table. One standard: accountable engineering

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