DOE i2X Initiatives
DOE i2X Forum for the Implementation of Reliability Standards for Transmission (i2X FIRST)
ESIG , in collaboration with Berkeley Lab, is facilitating the Forum for the Implementation of Reliability Standards for Transmission (FIRST) as part of the DOE’s Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) initiative.
To ensure the reliable and secure operation of energy resources connected to the electric grid, interconnection standards need to address inverter-based generator capabilities, expected performance, cybersecurity requirements, and other relevant issues. Some of these standards, such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)-2800, have been developed, but still need to be widely adopted and implemented. Other standards, as well as procedures for assessing and verifying plant conformity with them, have yet to be developed.
DOE i2x FIRST facilitates the adoption of new and recently updated standards relevant for interconnected energy resources. The Forum convenes industry stakeholders to enable easier and more harmonized implementation of these interconnection standards.
i2X FIRST addresses the priorities, goals, and solutions of the DOE i2X initiative. i2X FIRST covers practices outlined in the draft of IEEE P2800.2 and best practices from early adopters of the IEEE 2800 standard. Additionally, ongoing North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standard revision efforts related to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 901 are discussed to ensure alignment with IEEE 2800 adoption. Feedback gained through i2X FIRST will help shape new standards development processes.
i2X FIRST Season 3 Schedule
June 4, 2026: Deep Dive PRC-029 Implementation Process Updates
Mark your calendar and join us for the first i2X FIRST Season 3 meeting on Thursday, June 4 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET. This session will discuss experience and practices pertaining to IBR plant ride-through design evaluations. The standard’s effective date is 10/1/2026, so this will be aligned with that compliance deadline to hear industry experience in this area. The discussion will also focus on learnings regarding the need for exemptions and the documentation associated with this for legacy resources. The session will also discuss updates from Project 2025-05 following FERC Order 909
MEETING AGENDA
- Meeting Introduction: Julia Matevosyan, ESIG
- Project 2025-05 Ride-Through Revisions: Eugen Starschich, Siemens Energy
- How can PRC-029-01 compliance be assessed, using IEEE2800.2 tools: Jens Boemer, EPRI
- Guidance on PRC-029-01 implementation, Tim Taylor, SEIA and Ryan Quint, Elevate Energy Consulting
- Developer / Generator Owner Perspective on Challenges and Solutions with PRC-029 Compliance Assessment: Katie Iversen, AES
- Audience Q&A and Structured Discussion
August 6, 2026: NERC Milestone 4 Projects and NERC Project 2022 – 04 EMT Modeling
This session will be an update on NERC Standards efforts pertaining to FERC Order 901 Milestone 4 standards projects as well as updates for the FAC-002 standard revisions regarding EMT modeling. This will be covered in the context of FERC Order 2023 and its requirements pertaining to EMT modeling and screening.
October 2026 ESIG Workshop Session: IEEE 2800.2
This session will be a IEEE 2800.2 deep dive focused on details of the clauses and adoption pathways. IEEE P2800.2 will be published around late March and this would holistically cover the practices contained in the document and how entities may consider adopting portions of the document. The session can also explore how others have already thought about test and verification methods and implementation of those practices thus far. This session will be at the ESIG Fall Technical Workshop and made virtually available.
Registration information will be available soon.
January 14, 2027: IEEE 2800 Updates Session
This session will provide updates and learnings regarding the IEEE 2800 revisions underway. This includes the base standard modifications pertaining to grid forming, IEEE 2800.1 grid forming equipment specifications, and changes to IEEE 2800-2022 base standard to address possible issues or challenges.
DOE i2X Studies, Tools and Interconnection Consistency and Harmonization Meetings (i2X STITCH)
ESIG in collaboration with Berkeley Lab and Elevate Energy Consulting, is facilitating the Studies, Tools, and Interconnection Consistency and Harmonization (STITCH) Meetings as part of the DOE’s Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) initiative. The i2X STITCH effort is exploring interconnection studies across the US and identifying ways where harmonization and automations can help improve the speed and reliability of new generation and storage resource interconnections. The effort will consist of a sequence of collaborative meetings with industry stakeholders and subject matter experts to dive into interconnection study methods in different regions of the US and explore their practices. Beyond the meetings, information shared and discussed will serve as a reference for a technical report on this topic that will lay out potential areas for harmonization improvements.
The format of the meetings will include presentations followed by structured discussions around regional interconnection study practices, key differences, and harmonization opportunities. Presenters will be asked to cover a similar set of topics focused on interconnection process milestones, study methods and assumptions, pre-interconnection tools, study tools, and automation opportunities.
The presentation portion of each virtual meeting is recorded and will be shared along with presentation slides. Regional study processes, challenges and gaps, recommended practices and harmonization opportunities will be summarized in the whitepaper that will be published by the end of the meeting series, in February 2027.
May 26, 2026: Introduction Meeting
Kick-off Meeting Agenda:
- Introduction to i2x STITCH: Will Gorman, LBNL
- LBNL Queued Up – Relevant Trends: Joe Rand, LBNL
- Developer Perspective on Interconnection Studies and Tools: Ajay Pappu, Invenergy
- Interconnection Studies Whitepaper – Introduction: Sirisha Tanneeru, Elevate Energy Consulting
- Audience Q&A and Discussion
June 23, 2026: Regional Study Processes
- MISO
- PJM
- Developer with regional experience (or consultant)
July 28, 2026: Regional Study Processes Cont.
- CAISO
- WECC Non-Market entity – PNM, PacifiCorp, etc.
- Developer with regional experience (or consultant)
August 18, 2026: Regional Study Processes Cont.
- NYISO
- SO-NE
- EI Non-Market entity – Duke, Southern, etc.
- Developer with regional experience (or consultant)
September 22, 2026: Regional Study Processes Cont.
- SPP
- ERCOT
- Developer with regional experience (or consultant)
October 20, 2026: Automation and Data Harmonization
- Pearl Street, Nira, Grid Unity, etc.
- MISO, PJM, ERCOT, other ISO users
November 17, 2026: Industry Advisor Perspectives and Other Topics
- Industry Advisors – Grid Strategies, Brattle
- Other pertinent topics that come up, as needed
January 26, 2027: Final Paper Presentation
Industry webinar of final paper, findings, summary of results, next steps, etc.
Spring 2027 Workshop: Interconnection Studies and Harmonization Workshop
We will convene a working meeting/workshop to bring together stakeholders to discuss the findings and recommendations from the final paper and ways in which interconnection studies harmonization efforts can be pursued. The session will focus on best practices, efficiencies, harmonization, and automation approaches that have proved effective in some regions that could be applied or leveraged in other regions.
Registration information will be available soon.
NEW THIS SEASON!
Interconnection Support Office Hours
Meet with experts to discuss specific technical issues related to understanding, implementation, adoption of a harmonized and/or comprehensive interconnection requirements or standards for generators as well as assessment of conformity of newly interconnected generators with applicable interconnection requirements and standards. Interconnection Support Office Hours further the priorities, goals, and solutions of the DOE i2X initiative.
If you’re interested in engaging for more than one hour, please reach out to [email protected].
Interconnection Office Hours – FAQ
The Interconnection Office Hours FAQ document summarizes some key questions and answers from previous sessions. This document will be updated as more sessions are held.
