NERC will have to issue a Level 3 alert to address shortcomings from inverter-based resources like solar panels, the ERO said this week. | Shutterstock

April 4, 2025

Happy Friday from ERO Insider! When we were growing up, there was a saying that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb,” and down here in Atlanta, we’ve certainly slipped into April with some gorgeous spring weather. Tuesday, of course, was April Fools’ Day, and while some publications traditionally mark the occasion with joke headlines and stories, we’re frankly happier to work for a company that doesn’t truck with such things. Leave the comedy to the comics and keep the journalists focused on the news, we always say.

Speaking of which, let’s check out the stories our correspondents have been following this week! Henrik Nilsson is up first with a look at the top challenges facing the Western Interconnection, according to a discussion at a joint Committee on Regional Electric Power Cooperation and Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body meeting. Follow the link to see the work that participants say can help. (See West’s Mounting Challenges Require Increased Coordination, Panelists Say.) 

CAISO’s CEO warned in a recent report that electricity customers in the West will see “major” impacts to reliability and affordability. David Krause has more on the presentation to the ISO’s Board of Governors. (See CAISO CEO, Others Point to Reliability Aspect of BPA’s Market Decision.) 

NERC’s Camilo Serna was among the panelists at EPSA’s Competitive Power Summit in D.C. to talk about maintaining resource adequacy in the face of increasing load. James Downing was there. (See EPSA Conference Tackles Markets in a Time of Rapid Demand Growth.) 

Holden Mann brings us NERC’s report from its Level 2 alert last year on modeling issues in inverter-based resources. The ERO says it will need to issue its highest level of alert to address the potential shortcomings it discovered; we’ve got the details inside. (See NERC Warns Many Inverters’ Information Not Up to Date.) 

NERC has also responded to stakeholder comments on the Interregional Transfer Capability Study, describing it as a historic effort and defending the report from complaints leveled by some respondents. Click through to see the next steps in the process. (See NERC Responds to Interregional Transfer Capability Study Comments.) 

Thanks again for joining us this week! We’ll be bringing you the latest news from the world of electric reliability all through next week, and of course we’ll be back with another update on Friday. Until then, stay safe, and have a great week! 

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings:

• 4/10/25: NERC Member Representatives Committee Informational Session
  
• 4/16/25: NERC Standards Committee Teleconference