The Nor-Cal team recently attended the Solar Plaza Asset Management conference in San Diego and it was a whirlwind of industry insights and exciting developments.
A key topic that was covered during the conference was the new NERC compliance regulations for Generator Operator Inverter-Based Resources (GO-IBRs).
What are GO-IBRs?
GO-IBRs are inverter-based resources with a capacity of 20 MVA to 75 MVA interconnected at voltage levels of at least 60 kV. [Source: Radian Generation]
What's Changing?
As of March 2025, stricter SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and cyber security requirements will apply to asset owners with GO-IBRs. This means that modifications, upgrades and/or retrofits to existing SCADA systems will be required for existing utility-scale renewable energy projects.
Why is this Important?
“Compliance will be mandatory” according to Kellie Macpherson, Executive Vice President, Compliance & Risk at Radian Generation. Some GO-IBRs, especially those with legacy systems, may need significant changes to comply. The recent FERC order can be confusing, and a final order with deadlines is pending. It will be crucial to begin planning preparations now. The new rules should expect to be fully compliant by March 2025.
How Can Nor-Cal Help?
The good news is, Nor-Cal is here to help! We're excited to leverage our subject matter expertise and deep experience with SCADA system upgrades, retrofits, maintenance and on-going SCADA support services (S3), to help qualifying asset owners and generator operators, get ahead of these requirements. Reach out today, to learn more about how we can assist your team in preparation.
Overview of Nor-Cal’s SCADA Support Services (S3), for operational facilities:
Our SCADA Support Services (S3) provides a proactive approach to ensure your systems meet the upcoming NERC IBR regulations. Here's what you can expect:
- Dedicated Team: An assigned team of experienced project managers and engineers will provide support and troubleshooting for your SCADA system.
- Remote Support: We offer comprehensive remote support, including troubleshooting devices, network issues, and software modifications.
- On-Site Support: When needed, we can provide on-site field technician support.
- On-going SCADA System Maintenance and Upgrades: We will monitor the health of your system and make on-going system ownership recommendations, to ensure that your SCADA system stays operational, in good health, and is up to date with latest SCADA design best practices. Eliminating the possibility for any down time, while optimizing performance.
Our goal is to build stronger relationships with developers and asset owners by helping them integrate the required changes. This will position Nor-Cal as a preferred choice for future EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) projects.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting initiative! In the meantime, you can learn more about the upcoming IBR requirements in this helpful article.
We understand the complexities of navigating NERC regulations, and we're here to make the transition smooth and efficient. You can be confident your SCADA systems will be compliant and operating at peak performance. Contact us today to chat about your upcoming project.
In Collaboration with Rob Lopez and Trevor Grossi.
