ESIG Interconnection Short Course
Portland, Oregon
June 15, 2026 @ 9:00 am – June 17, 2026 @ 5:00 pm
Join ESIG from June 15 – 17, 2026 in Portland, OR for the next Interconnection Short Course, hosted by the Bonneville Power Administration.
This three-day in-person training is intended to enhance the knowledge and ability of the current workforce through coursework focused on best practices for performing the study work necessary to interconnect inverter-based resources to the bulk power system reliably. Training participants will learn practical methods and best practices that can be leveraged into enhanced study practices across the industry. These training modules will focus on the expected day-to-day needs of engineers performing interconnection studies, model quality tests, or inverter-based resource model and simulation work as well as managing study practices within their organization.
**PLEASE NOTE: WiFi will not be available in the meeting rooms. Please plan accordingly!
Interconnection Studies Short Course – Agenda
* Specific topics and agenda order my change. Click the down arrows next to the dates to see the agendas.
Day 1: Monday, June 15
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Check-in and Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Course Introduction
Introduce the course; course logistics; present key takeaways; introduce grid transformation
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Power System Fundamentals
Performance indicators of a reliable grid
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Break
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Power System Fundamentals
grid reliability in normal operations; grid reliability in abnormal conditions
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Changes to Power System Fundamentals with High IBR Penetration
Differences between synchronous and IBR; Changes in grid performance due to increased IBR penetration
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Break
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Need for Enhanced and IBR-Specific Essential Reliability Services
Adapting essential reliability services to the new paradigm; Linking services to new grid performance needs
Day 2: Tuesday, June 16
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Review of Day 1
Review key points of day 1; clarifying questions answered
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Detailed Discussion of Essential Reliability Service Needs
Discussing root causes of performance changes and what services are needed
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Break
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Introduction to Navigating the New Paradigm
Soft changes to stakeholder makeup; overview of current regulatory makeup and technical challenges
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Planning a High IBR Grid
Overview of new planning needs; Implementing new ERS; Necessary study types; When to use different simulation domains and simulation introduction (high level)
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
IBR Plant Characteristics and Necessary Data
How are IBR constructed; What data is necessary to model; Efficient spot checks and best practices for mitigating suspect data
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Break
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Modeling IBR
Model types; Simulation domain types; Type testing and model benchmarking
Day 3: Wednesday, June 17
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Review of Day 2
Review key points of day 2; clarifying questions answered
8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Model Quality Assessment and Design Evaluation
Performing MQA; tests to run and why
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Break
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Application of Best Practices to Study Processes
Performing studies with best practices in mind; what studies to perform at what time
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Analyzing Study Results and Mitigating Non-Conforming Behaviors
Analyzing study results; working with stakeholders to mitigate deficiencies
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Capturing Operational Performance Data
What to measure, what resolution, storage time, etc.
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Break
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Event Analysis and Model Validation
How to validate IBR plant model based on event data
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Summary and Closing
Key messages from previous three days
Accommodations
ESIG has a special room rate of $179/night at The Porter Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton, 1355 S W 2nd Avenue, Portland, about a two-minute walk to the meeting. Reserve your room using the button below, or by calling Toll-Free Number: 1-800-HILTONS, and asking for the ESIG Training Group room block. Group code: 91C
Please NOTE: The rates will show as $185 (they include the 3% booking fee, or Portland Tourism Fee). This is a mandatory fee that Hilton used to show as a tax, but it is separated out now. Rest assured, when they reserve their room and view rate details, they will see the rate is $179 + taxes/fees.
