A Future With Inverter-Based Resources: Finding Strength From Traditional Weakness

The global, rapid evolution of power systems introduces a wide array of technologies that use power electronics to interface with the grid. As the generation portfolio changes, synchronous equipment that traditionally provided services necessary for stable grid operation is being displaced by inverter-based resources (IBRs), such as wind, solar photovoltaic, and battery storage. In the next few years, with the ever-growing dependence on IBRs, some synchronous areas will be operating, at least occasionally, with 100% (or nearly 100%) IBRs (see “What Is 100%?”). Therefore, IBRs must become a primary support of stable grids.