DOE i2X FIRST Grid-Forming Inverter Hybrid Workshop

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. -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.

Deepak Ramasubramanian, Principal Technical Leader, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)

Andrew Isaacs, Vice President, Electranix (Canada)

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

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?

Beibei (BeiLi) Li, Manager of Strategic Assessment, 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)

TBD, 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

Increasingly, in the areas with high shares of IBRs and that have a determined need for GFM capavilities, 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?

UNIFI GFM Requirements
Dominic Gross, Associate Professor, University of Madison-Wisconsin & Shahil Shah, Principal Engineer, NLR

GFM Requirements at HECO, AEMO, ERCOT, MISO, etc.
Andrew Isaacs, Vice President, Electranix (Canada)

VDE FNN GFM Requirements
Roland Singer, Head of Group, Converter based Power Grids, Fraunhofer-Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Germany)

IEEE/IEC New GFM Requirements Efforts
Alex Shattuck, Director of Grid Transformation, ESIG

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

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?

Sarah Walinga, Sr. Staff Power Controls Engineer, Megapack Site Controls, Tesla

Jayanth Ranganathan Ramamurthy, AEMO (Australia)

Laurence Copson, Energy Storage Specialist, US Markets & Policy, Zenobe

Li Yu, Manager, Transmission Planning, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)

Benjamin Braun, Chief Engineer, Fluence (Germany)

5:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Closing Remarks 

Ryan Quint, Founder and CEO, Elevate Energy Consulting