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As inverter-based resources become a dominant share of new generation, grid-forming (GFM) inverter technologies are emerging as one of the key tools to support stability of power systems with high shares of inverter-based resources. To advance understanding and practical deployment experience, ESIG supports the U.S. Department of Energy’s Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) Forum for the Implementation of Reliability Standards (FIRST), in hosting a one-day hybrid workshop focused on grid-forming inverters during the ESIG Spring Technical Workshop in Tucson.

This hybrid workshop will bring together system operators, utilities, researchers, technology providers, and developers to explore the current state of grid-forming technology, performance specifications and real-world applications.

The workshop agenda will begin with a concise educational tutorial covering GFM fundamentals, including how GFM controls differ from grid-following (GFL) approaches, what capabilities they offer, and where current limitations remain. The workshop will then shift to panel discussions and presentations examining:

  • Why and where grid-forming is being required by some ISOs and utilities, and why others have taken more cautious approaches
  • Study methodologies, monitoring considerations, and operational implications that inform GFM adoption decisions
  • Emerging grid-forming requirements and standards, including regional implementations and ongoing joint IEEE/IEC efforts
  • Real-world project experience from utilities, developers, OEMs, and planners implementing grid-forming inverters in the field

The workshop is intended for participants seeking a practical, systems-oriented view of grid-forming inverters, grounded in current experience and forward-looking collaboration.

Agenda

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
In-person Registration and Breakfast
Location: Kiva Patio

8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
DOE i2X FIRST Grid-Forming Inverter Workshop Introduction
Location: Kiva B

Introduction and Session 1 Session Recording

8:15 a.m. -9:45 a.m.
Session 1 – Basics of Grid-Forming Inverter-Based Resources
Location: Kiva B

What is a grid-forming (GFM) inverter-based resource (IBR); how it is different from state-of-the-art grid following (GFL) IBRs; what GFM control exists; what are capabilities and limitations of GFM IBRs.

9:45 a.m. -10:15 a.m.
Break
Location: Kiva Patio

10:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session 2 – System Needs for Grid Forming Capabilities
Session Chair: Alex Shattuck, Director of Grid Transformation, ESIG

Session 2 Recording

What prompts system operators to consider grid forming technology; what studies are carried to out identify if GFM is needed, where and how much is needed; what other considerations are necessary when determining the need for GFM requirements; what are other options that could be considered; have system operators looked at fully utilizing GFL IBR capabilities as per IEEE 2800-2022, how can system operators monitor and verify that GFM capabilities are indeed provided?

  • Weiqing Jiang, Principal Engineer, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
  • Mostafa Sedighizadeh, Lead Engineer, Policy Planning and Research, Southwest Power Pool (SPP)
  • Scott Anderson, Director Operational Readiness, Salt River Project (SRP)
  • Bin Wang, Lead R&D Engineer, ISO-NE

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
Location: Kiva Patio

1:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Session 3 – Grid Forming Requirements
Session Chair: Julia Matevosyan, Associate Director, Chief Engineer, ESIG

Session 3 Recording

Increasingly, in the areas with high shares of IBRs and that have a determined need for GFM capabilities, system operators are coming up with requirements for GFM IBRs. What do these requirements entail, how are they formulated, do they apply to specific technologies or all IBRs and why, how is conformity with these requirements going to be evaluated?

2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Break
Location: Kiva Patio

3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Session 4 – Global Landscape of Grid Forming Projects
Session Chair: Julia Matevosyan, Associate Director, Chief Engineer, ESIG

Session 4 Recording

There is a growing number of GFM IBRs and other GFM devices being installed around the world, what are the main drivers; what are main challenges and gaps during interconnection process and after commissioning?

  • Presentation
    Sarah Walinga, Sr. Staff Power Controls Engineer, Megapack Site Controls, Tesla
  • Presentation
    Jayanth Ranganathan Ramamurthy, AEMO (Australia)
  • Presentation
    Laurence Copson, Energy Storage Specialist, US Markets & Policy, Zenobe
  • Presentation
    Li Yu, Manager, Transmission Planning, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)
  • Presentation
    Benjamin Braun, Chief Engineer, Fluence (Germany)