FERC Bolsters Grid Rules for Wind and Solar Power Shifts
Published Date: 1/21/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission wants to approve new rules that help keep the electric grid steady by making sure certain power sources, like wind turbines and solar inverters, handle changes in frequency and voltage better. These rules mainly affect power companies using inverter-based resources and aim to prevent blackouts. The changes could mean some upgrades soon, so companies should get ready to meet new standards and keep the lights on.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger Rules Aimed to Prevent Blackouts
These proposed standards are intended to keep the electric grid steady by making sure certain power sources handle changes in frequency and voltage better. You (all electricity customers) could benefit because the standards aim to prevent blackouts and help keep the lights on.
Inverter Ride-Through Requirements Proposed
The Commission proposes to approve Reliability Standard PRC-029-1, which would set frequency and voltage ride-through requirements for inverter-based resources (for example, solar and other inverter-driven generation). This mainly affects power companies and owners of inverter-based equipment and could require them to make upgrades soon so those resources keep operating during grid disturbances.
Protection Settings for Generators and Wind
The Commission proposes to approve Reliability Standard PRC-024-4, which addresses frequency and voltage protection settings for synchronous generators, Type 1 and Type 2 wind resources, and synchronous condensers. Owners and operators of those generators and wind resource types may need to adjust settings or make changes to comply with the new standard.
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