As part of NERC’s continued Inverter-Based Resource (IBR) Registration Initiative, a supplemental document has been released by NERC Standards Development, which outlines both effective and compliance dates of NERC Reliability Standards for Generator Owners (GOs) and Generator Operators (GOPs) of Category 2 IBRs. A limited number of standards are applicable without modification. An additional eight standards will become applicable with the completion of Project 2024-01. Many others remain under review or require revision prior to being applicable to Category 2 IBRs.

As of 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved NERC Rules of Procedure Changes expanding registration criteria to include certain non-Bulk Electric System (BES) IBRs that were previously exempt. A company that owns/operates a generation resource that meets the following criteria shall be registered:

• Aggregate Nameplate Capacity: The IBR contributes to an aggregate nameplate capacity of ≥ 20 megavolt-amperes (MVA).
• Interconnection Voltage: The IBR is connected through a system designed primarily for delivering such capacity to a common point of connection at a voltage ≥ 60 kilovolts (kV).

NERC’s Category 2 resource definition applies to various inverter technologies, including solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, and battery energy storage systems.

Given the dynamic regulatory landscape, it is essential for entities with Category 2 IBRs to stay aware of ongoing updates to ensure readiness for future compliance obligations. NERC will continue issuing updates aligned with quarterly work plans, and entities are encouraged to monitor these communications closely. Staying informed and engaged in this process is critical to meet compliance requirements and to support the reliability and security of the bulk power system as it evolves to include more distributed and inverter-based technologies.

The supplemental document is Reliability Standards Compliance Dates for Generator Owners & Generator Operators – Inverter-Based Resource Registration Initiative Supplemental Q2 2025 and is available now and will be maintained and updated by NERC to follow their IBR work plan.

MRO is hosting an IBR Webinar on August 13, 2025, to provide information on challenges IBRs pose to the bulk power system, risk mitigation efforts, and the ERO Enterprise registration initiative. This webinar is very applicable to current GO/GOP registered entities and Category 2 IBR registration candidates. We are actively collecting input from registered entities to shape webinar content. Please take a moment to complete a short survey to let us know what topics and questions related to IBRs are most important to your organization.

👉 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B67DV3Z

– Eric Graftaas, Principal Power Systems Engineer, MRO