Enhancing Grid Stability: A Practical Methodology to Maximize Ride-Through Capability of IBR Inverter Based Resources

“Odessa I” and “Odessa II,” marked a turning point in prioritizing enhancements to IBR plant ride-through requirements in the Texas Interconnection. The events exposed systemic risks related to how IBR plants are designed, commissioned, and operated. In response, the Electric

Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) initiated Nodal Operating Guide Revision Request 245

(NOGRR 245), which included the forward-looking adoption of portions of IEEE 2800-2022 and new requirements for existing IBR plants to “maximize” ride-through performance.

Consequently, all ERCOT Resource Entities had to evaluate voltage and frequency ridethrough for existing, commissioning, and future IBR plants.

This paper introduces a practical, technology-agnostic methodology for IBR owners to maximize ride-through capability while remaining within equipment ratings and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) limits. IBR plant ride-through maximization is defined in this work as “the coordinated configuration of IBR unit and balance of plant (BOP) protection systems to maximize the ability of the IBR units to remain connected to the grid, to the extent possible, while maintaining protections within equipment ratings.” This includes softwarebased modifications (e.g., software, firmware, settings, and parameterization changes) that expand ride-through performance of the IBR plant protection systems, controls, and other plant equipment up to hardware limitations. The methodology is structured around the following fundamental steps:

1. Collecting IBR plant documentation, dynamic models, and other information to support comprehensive verification of as-left IBR plant settings and capabilities.

2. Determining IBR unit ride-through maximum capabilities by gathering OEM-supplied limits, settings, and other information. Verifying user-configurable and OEM-set protections, controls, and limits; seeking to disable non-vital protections not required for equipment safety to meet requirements and avoid erroneous tripping. Coordinating

BOP protection settings to maximize the ability of the IBR units to ride-through and provide necessary grid support services, with a specific focus on voltage and frequency protection settings.

3. Updating IBR plant dynamic models and conducting ride-through simulation tests to confirm IBR plant ride-through maximization is achieved and requirements are met.

4. Determining field implementation considerations, timeline, and identifying any possible exemptions and extensions to the rules.

The approach has proven effective in improving IBR plant ride-through capability and can be universally applicable across regions, grid codes, and technologies. This paper also outlines implementation considerations for jurisdictions evaluating similar requirements, drawing on lessons learned from assessments conducted in Texas to support NOGRR 245. Experience in

Texas indicates that many existing IBR plants are not currently maximized with respect to ridethrough capability, leaving reliability benefits unrealized. Furthermore, the authors are unaware of this method being practiced anywhere else in the world. Adopting the recommendations presented in this paper offers an effective path to improving fleet-wide IBR ride-through performance and grid reliability, while minimizing compliance risk and avoiding undue burden on IBR developers, owners, and operators.