FERC Approves Solar-Wind Modeling Rules to Prevent Blackouts
Published Date: 2/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved new rules to help keep our electric grid safe and reliable as more inverter-based energy sources, like solar and wind, join the mix. These changes affect energy companies and grid operators, updating how they model and verify power system data. The new standards roll out soon, aiming to prevent blackouts and keep electricity flowing smoothly without extra costs to consumers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
New grid modeling standards approved
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved NERC's petitions filed on November 4, 2025, to adopt new Reliability Standards for modeling inverter-based resources. You (and everyone who uses electricity) should benefit because the Commission says these standards should ensure planners and operators have the data and models needed to plan for, operate, and reliably integrate inverter-based resources on the Bulk‑Power System.
Estimated paperwork hours and costs
The order includes FERC paperwork‑burden estimates for the new standards: for MOD-032-2 a total of 26,704 hours and $1,696,238.08; for IRO-010-6 a total of 32,688 hours and $2,076,341.76; and for TOP-003-8 a total of 32,592 hours and $2,070,243.84 (based on entity counts and hourly cost assumptions described in the text). NERC provided estimated entity counts such as 1,834 generator owners and 1,333 generator operators used in these calculations.
Entities must supply IBR modeling data
Approved Reliability Standard MOD-032-2 requires planning coordinators (working with transmission planners) to develop steady-state, dynamic, and short-circuit modeling data requirements and reporting procedures. The standard also requires balancing authorities, distribution providers, generator owners, resource planners, transmission owners, transmission service providers, and others to provide inverter‑based resource (IBR) and IBR‑DER data to support planning cases.
Model validation required every 24 months
Approved Reliability Standard MOD-033-3 requires each planning coordinator to validate planning system models by comparing power flow simulation performance and dynamic local event simulation performance to actual system behavior at least once every 24 calendar months. Reliability coordinators and transmission operators must provide actual system behavior data to planning coordinators performing validation.
Dynamic and EMT model submission rules
Approved Reliability Standard MOD-026-2 requires generator owners and transmission owners to provide positive sequence dynamic models and to provide electromagnetic transient (EMT) models for FACTS devices, HVDC systems, and registered IBRs to transmission planners (with a narrow exclusion for legacy facilities when the original equipment manufacturer no longer supports EMT models). Owners claiming no OEM support must substantiate that claim with documentation.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-06504 — Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got several filings from natural gas pipeline companies about rate changes and reports. These updates could affect how much customers pay starting as soon as April 1 or May 1, 2026. If you want to share your thoughts, you have until April 13, 2026, to comment.
2026-06503 — Combined Notice of Filings #1
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got several new filings from energy companies about power plant approvals, solar projects, and rate changes. These filings affect companies like Bayonne Energy Center, Heritage Power, and others, with deadlines for public comments in mid to late April 2026. Some changes could impact how much customers pay or how energy is managed starting as soon as April 1, 2026.
2026-06432 — Erie Boulevard Hydropower L.P.; Notice of Application for Non-Capacity Amendment of License Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Erie Boulevard Hydropower wants to make some changes to their Beebee Island Project on the Black River in Watertown, NY, but these changes won’t affect how much power they produce. The government is now asking the public and agencies to share their thoughts or concerns by April 29, 2026. This process helps make sure the project stays safe and environmentally friendly without costing extra money or changing power output.
2026-06299 — Village of Saranac Lake; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Motions To Intervene and Protests
The Village of Saranac Lake wants to keep running its Lake Flower Dam hydroelectric project in New York and has officially asked for a new license. If you live nearby or care about the river, now’s your chance to speak up by May 26, 2026. This could affect local energy and the environment, so don’t miss your shot to join the conversation!
2026-06301 — Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got several filings from natural gas companies about rates, reports, and agreements. These filings could affect pipeline customers and market players, with some rate changes starting April 1, 2026. If you want to speak up or get involved, you need to act by early April and follow the rules to join the conversation.
2026-06298 — Village of Saranac Lake; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Lake Flower Dam Hydroelectric Project
The Village of Saranac Lake is asking for your thoughts on the environmental impact of renewing the license for the Lake Flower Dam Hydroelectric Project on the Saranac River. This is your chance to help shape how the project affects local nature and community before a final decision is made. Make sure to send your comments by April 2, 2026, so your voice counts in this important energy and environment update!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-03656 — National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity; Notice of Meeting
The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) is holding an open meeting on March 24-25, 2026, to discuss how colleges and accrediting groups meet quality standards. This affects schools, students, and education agencies by shaping rules that impact college eligibility for federal aid. The meeting is mostly virtual for the public, with no direct cost changes announced but important decisions on education quality are on the horizon.
Next: 2026-03660 — Oil Pipeline Affiliate Committed Service
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is canceling a plan to change how it reviews oil pipeline contracts when only the pipeline’s own affiliate signs up for service. This means no new rules will affect pipeline companies or their affiliates for now, and no extra costs or deadlines are coming. The withdrawal took effect on February 19, 2026, keeping things steady in the oil pipeline world.
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in