Modules · Forward deployed · Module 057
Forward Deployed Power Systems Studies Support
Ongoing engineering and modeling for operating plants: model updates, test reruns, study updates and studies triggered by regulatory or site changes.
About this module
What this module covers.
Through this module, we embed a forward-deployment leader (FDL) with your power systems studies or engineering modeling team to support plant modeling requirements internally in the most efficient manner possible. The FDL's first task is to evaluate all current information, roles, tasks and gaps in your plant modeling requirements across operating and pre-commercial-operation (pre-COD) assets, as you direct and prioritize. The output of this first task is the Modeling Requirements Tracking Sheet (MRTS) for your review, which determines the scope of future tasks.
The overall goal of the module is to provide the most cost-effective means for you to meet the enhanced regulatory burden associated with evolving and increasingly complex requirements for plant models and single machine infinite bus (SMIB) studies across NERC and the regional transmission organization and independent system operator (RTO/ISO) regions. The objective is to ensure model requirements are met for each of your plants in scope.
In particular, the module seeks to promote practices that streamline development and verification of models, as well as the performance testing and benchmarking of models. By leveraging the GridStrong Dashboard, we use the same model package for a plant in ERCOT to comply with ERCOT Nodal Operating Guide Revision Request (NOGRR) 245, the ERCOT model quality tests (MQT) under Planning Guide Revision Request (PGRR) 109, MOD-026-2, and PRC-029-2. Whereas this might previously have required four separate engagements with consultants - duplicating significant cost and work - approaching the modeling requirements holistically avoids this duplication, particularly on the performance testing and benchmarking, so long as the upfront work is executed in a manner that anticipates these additional requirements. The FDL leverages the GridStrong Dashboard to establish a system of record that promotes more efficient information management and model quality testing execution, taking a holistic view of the modeling requirements.
Depending on the scope of activities and assets and your internal resources and capabilities, the FDL will likely need to prioritize certain modeling activities at the expense of others unless more resources are allocated.
Module: 057
Kind: Forward deployed
Governing body: Any region
Applies to: Before and after commercial operation
Typical time: Ongoing
Support services
What GridStrong does inside this module.
- Review and Analysis: Review the current state of your tracking of dynamic modeling requirements, dynamic models, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) files, and identify all gaps. You provide direct access to all systems containing dynamic models for review against the current and upcoming requirements identified in the MRTS. We prepare a "Dynamic Models" sheet within the MRTS evaluating the plant models against the requirements, including an "OEM" section evaluating OEM model packages against the requirements.
- Updates to Analysis: Subject to resource constraints and prioritization, perform the gap analysis against applicable NERC Reliability Standards (including MOD-025-2, MOD-026-2, which took effect April 1, 2026 and replaced MOD-026-1 and MOD-027-1, MOD-032-1, MOD-033-2, and related model-dependent standards such as TPL-001-5.1, FAC-001-3, FAC-002-4, PRC-019-2, PRC-024-4, PRC-029-2, PRC-002-5, and PRC-028-1) and regional modeling programs (ERCOT Nodal Operating Guide and Planning Guide including NOGRR 245; PJM Manual 14D and Planning Modeling Submissions process; MISO IBR Modeling guidance; CAISO IBR Dynamic Model Review Guideline; ISO-NE Planning Procedure 5-6 and Operating Procedure 14; NYISO Transmission Expansion and Interconnection Manual; SPP Model Development Procedure Manual; and WECC generator testing and model validation guidelines), while anticipating future requirements including NERC Milestone 3 activities and emerging inverter-based resource (IBR) and modeling standards driven by FERC Order No. 901 (including revisions to FAC-001-3 / FAC-002-4).
- Supporting Documentation: Reference and attach supporting documentation to the package containing the MRTS, including copies of applicable NERC Reliability Standards, RTO/ISO manuals, planning procedures, Operating Guides, and regional implementation documents; and interconnection study reports, Facilities Studies, and RTO/ISO-approved power-flow, short-circuit, dynamic, and (where required) electromagnetic transient (EMT) models used in those studies, including model one-line diagrams and bus mappings.
- Task Prioritization & Resource Allocation: Coordinate with you to identify the highest priorities to promote long-term cost savings with respect to modeling requirements, as well as near-term tasks that must be addressed. Technical execution of a specific regulatory requirement for a particular plant (for example, a model quality test or a MOD-026-2 verification) is addressed upon your written authorization to proceed with one or more additional modules.
- As-Left Settings Updates: For all plants in scope, models are updated and verified to ensure current, verified model packages in compliance with ISO/RTO, NERC, and IEEE 2800 requirements.
Final deliverables
Deliverables are specified with you after a joint review of the MRTS. A sample of deliverables may include the MRTS, Dynamic Models evaluation sheet, OEM model review sheet, gap analysis against applicable NERC and regional modeling requirements, and current and verified plant model packages. Technical execution of compliance procedures for specific plants is covered by separate modules.
What we need from you
- Direct, secure access to all internal systems containing dynamic models and plant modeling documentation.
- OEM model packages (PSCAD, PSS/E, TSAT) and associated user-defined model documentation.
- Interconnection study reports, Facilities Studies, and RTO/ISO-approved power-flow, short-circuit, dynamic, and (where required) EMT models.
Assumptions and considerations
How the scope is bounded.
- Technical execution of a specific regulatory modeling requirement for a particular plant (for example, a model quality test or a MOD-026-2 verification) is out of scope for this module and is addressed by separate execution modules upon your written authorization; keeping your plant models current with as-left settings is in scope.
- The scope of modeling activities is agreed with you, and the FDL may need to prioritize certain modeling activities at the expense of others unless more resources are allocated.
Other modules
Every module runs on the same record.
Run this module on one site.
Tell us the plant and the deadline. An engineer confirms the inputs, the schedule and what the Dashboard needs from you.