Compliance Countdown: NERC’s 2026 Standards Drive Immediate Action for IBR Owners

By: Jalen Tarvin, NERC Supervisor & Hanan Fishman, Senior Director, Business Development

As the energy transition accelerates, inverter-based resources (IBRs), including solar panels, wind turbines, and battery energy storage systems are rapidly becoming the backbone of the modern power grid. These technologies rely on inverters to convert the direct current (DC) they generate into the alternating current (AC) that powers homes and businesses. But as their share of grid-connected generation grows, so do the challenges of maintaining reliability in the face of grid disturbances.

Why Reliability Matters for IBRs

One of the greatest reliability challenges for renewable generation projects is staying online during grid disturbances. Sudden changes in voltage or frequency can cause IBRs to disconnect from the grid, a phenomenon known as “frequency/voltage ride through.” If too many systems disconnect during a disturbance, the problem can cascade, potentially leading to widespread outages. This issue has prompted a wave of new standards and industry initiatives aimed at ensuring IBRs can ride through short-term grid events and support overall system stability.

The Regulatory Response: NERC and ERCOT Lead the Way

Historically, reliability standards have not been tailored to the unique characteristics of IBRs. Recognizing this gap, NERC and regional entities have begun developing new standards and guidelines, with a particular focus on IBRs with aggregate capacities under 75 MVA.

A major milestone came on October 1, 2024, when ERCOT updated Section 2 of its Nodal Operating Guide (NOGRR245) to require all IBRs to “maximize” their ride-through capabilities, even beyond established minimums. To ensure compliance, ERCOT issued a request for information in February 2025 to all applicable Generator Owners, requiring them to demonstrate readiness to meet these new standards by December 2025. This timeline has created a sense of urgency across the industry, especially for operators of existing facilities who must now evaluate and potentially upgrade their systems.

ERCOT’s revised requirements closely mirror NERC’s new PRC-029-1 standard, which sets expectations for how IBRs should respond to voltage and frequency disturbances. FERC has already approved PRC-029-1, along with PRC-028-1 and PRC-030-1. Additional IBR specific NERC standards are on the horizon, each presenting new compliance challenges for IBR owners as 2026 approaches.

What’s Changing for IBR Owners?

• PRC-030-1: Requires owners to identify and report losses or changes in real power output within a four-second window, and to develop corrective action plans in response.
• PRC-028-1: Mandates the implementation of Disturbance Monitoring Equipment for Sequence of Event Recording (SER), Fault Recording (FR), and Dynamic Disturbance Recording (DDR), a costly but critical upgrade for operational IBRs.

These standards will also drive the need for new NERC procedures and training programs, as well as capital investments for both new and existing facilities.

Looking Ahead: Proactive Compliance and Strategic Planning

The list of IBR-specific standards continues to grow, with ongoing development around modeling, voltage control, and grid interconnections. For asset owners and operators, staying ahead of these evolving requirements is essential, not just for compliance, but for strategic decision-making and investment planning.

CAMS is already working with renewables facilities to address these new standards. Clear communication and proactive engagement with regulatory changes empower owners to make informed choices and position their assets for long-term success.

Conclusion

As the grid evolves, so must the standards that govern its reliability. The new wave of IBR-specific requirements from NERC and ERCOT marks a turning point for renewable energy integration. By embracing these changes, the industry can ensure that inverter-based resources remain a resilient, reliable foundation for the clean energy future.

If you have any questions, explore this article and other helpful resources on our website, or contact a CAMS expert for more detailed guidance.