Harmonizing IBR Interconnection Requirements in the West
In 2024, the Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body (WIRAB) engaged Elevate Energy Consulting (Elevate) to support a strategic initiative assessing reliability risks from the growing deployment of inverter-based resources (IBRs) in the West. This work culminated in WIRAB’s endorsement of the Inverter-Based Resource Risk Assessment Report in late 2024, which identified key risks from IBRs to the Western Interconnection and recommended actions to mitigate them.
One of the report’s top recommendations was to work with industry to enhance Facility Interconnection Requirements through standardized templates. This effort, Harmonizing IBP Interconnection Requirements in the West, aims to advance that recommendation, representing a next step ongoing efforts to strengthen reliability by improving IBR interconnection practices across the West.
Approach:
To facilitate this effort, we will be coordinating a series of monthly stakeholder meetings with the Industry Advisory Group. These meetings will be virtual and open, to foster a sense of community and common understanding regarding the enhancements of IBR requirements.
Industry Advisory Group:
Meetings will be open, and WIRAB members and staff are welcome to participate as desired.
- Transmission Providers
- Transmission Planners
- Planning Coordinators
- Transmission regulatory compliance specialists
- IBR Developers
- Technical Experts (WECC, ESIG, etc.)
If you have questions about joining this group, please reach out to Eric Baran ([email protected]).
Tentative Meeting Schedule and Topics
| Date | Topics |
May 19, 2025 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. MT
|
Introduction, Background, Goals, Timeline |
June 26, 2025 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. MT
|
Overview of IEEE 2800 and IBR Requirements Plan |
July 17, 2025 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. MT
|
IBR Requirements Enhancements – Industry Experience |
August 28, 2025 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. MT
|
Draft Template Review: General Interconnection Requirements |
| September 25, 2025 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. MT | Draft Template Review: Technical Performance Requirements |
| October 23, 2025 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. MT | Draft Template Review: Model & Study Requirements |
| November 13, 2025 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. MT | Draft Template Review: SCADA, Monitoring, Compliance |
| December 17, 2025 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. MT | Final Review & Closeout |
Project Goals:
- Help Western Transmission Providers improve and update their IBR interconnection requirements using best practices.
- Build awareness of IEEE 2800 standards and how they relate to new regulatory requirements and challenges.
- Highlight the benefits of consistent IBR requirements across the Western Interconnection.
- Create a collaborative space for sharing ideas and improving IBR practices.
Final Deliverable: A public FIR template that Transmission Providers can adapt for their interconnection requirements.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact Eric Baran ([email protected]).