PRC-029-1 Compliance

PRC-029-1 Turns Compliance into a Closed-Loop Discipline—Unify Design, Models, and Events

FERC’s July 2025 final rule approving PRC-029-1 sets clear ride-through performance expectations for inverter-based resources (IBRs). The standard raises the bar from “right settings on paper” to “provable performance in the field,” and it ties that proof to disturbance data and model fidelity. In short: success now requires a closed-loop compliance system that links protection settings, dynamic models, and event evidence. 

This post builds on Elevate Energy Consulting’s technical review and goes a step further for asset owners: how to run PRC-029-1 as a single, automated workflow across design, modeling, and operations—exactly the kind of work GridStrong’s unified compliance platform was built to do. 

Why PRC-029-1 Is Different: Three Proofs, One Outcome

PRC-029-1 introduces performance-based ride-through obligations for IBRs and explicitly aligns with PRC-028-1 (disturbance monitoring) and PRC-030-1 (event analysis and corrective action). That means your evidence chain must connect:

1. how the plant is configured,
   
   
2. how the model behaves, and
   
   
3. how the units actually performed during grid events.
   

Key details to internalize:

• No momentary cessation in the defined no-trip zone; IBRs must continue injecting current and supporting frequency/voltage during disturbances.
  
  
• Evidence retention is required; PRC-029-1 specifies minimum retention periods for R1–R4 materials.
  

Applicability spans BES IBRs already registered under existing criteria and Category 2 IBRs (≥20 MVA at ≥60 kV) that NERC is bringing into scope through new registration thresholds. Plan for both populations. 

‍The Closed-Loop Workflow PRC-029-1 Demands

1) Design Intent: Protection & Control Review Across Relays, PPCs, and Inverters

GridStrong centralizes “as-left” settings and automates PRC-029-1 compliance checks across inverter controls, feeder relays, and the plant controller. The PRC-029-1 module packages the required procedure, design evaluation, settings analysis, and ongoing evidence capture—so reviews aren’t scattered across spreadsheets and inboxes. 

Why this matters: PRC-029-1 is about performance zones, not just setpoint lists. Automated checks guard against transcription mistakes and out-of-policy protection logic—an immediate reduction in human error and rework. 

2) Model Fidelity: PSS®E/PSCAD Studies That Match As-Left Settings

Compliance hinges on models that reflect reality. GridStrong aligns plant models to field settings, runs required ride-through cases, and overlays simulated vs. measured responses in tools like PSS®E, PSCAD, and TSAT—closing the loop between design and study. 

Practical advantages:

• Connect once; validate continuously. Live data integrations keep model assumptions in sync with the plant. Models auto-validate in seconds and compliance tests run with one click.
  
  
• Consistent reporting. One-click, audit-ready exports streamline internal reviews and external audits.
  

For ERCOT sites, GridStrong’s MQT workflow plans, executes, benchmarks, and reports all required legacy and preferred cases—with side-by-side overlays and pre-/post-mod comparisons. 

3) Operational Proof: Event Monitoring, Detection, and Reporting

When PRC-028-1 equipment records an event, PRC-029-1 expects the plant to ride through—and PRC-030-1 expects the owner to analyze, document, and correct when it doesn’t. GridStrong ingests SCADA, DFR, SER, and PMU data; auto-identifies ride-through failures; and generates the required evidence packages and corrective action tracking—without manual log wrangling.

Bottom line: Design parameters, model parameters, and event performance stay reconciled inside one system—so deviations are detected early and fixed fast. 

Timelines and Scope: What to Expect

• Regulatory status. FERC approved PRC-029-1 in July 2025; the final rule became effective 30 days after Federal Register publication.
  
  
• Effective date mechanics. Under NERC’s Implementation Plan, PRC-029-1 becomes effective on the first day of the first calendar quarter that is six months after the applicable authority’s order approving PRC-028-1; PRC-029-1 is deliberately sequenced to the disturbance-monitoring standard.
  
  
• Registration thresholds. Category 2 IBRs (≥20 MVA at ≥60 kV) are in scope via NERC’s registration initiative; existing BES criteria continue to capture IBRs ≥75 MVA at ≥100 kV.
  

Implication: Start now on plant design evaluations, model alignment, and PRC-028-1 recording—so event-based operational proof is available when PRC-029-1 enforcement begins. 

What “Unified” Looks Like in Practice

GridStrong is a single platform for AC-plant compliance, modeling, and operations—purpose-built for PRC-028/029/030. 

• PRC-029-1 Module: Compliance procedure, design evaluation, ongoing settings analysis, model management, and event reporting.
  
  
• Modeling Modules (MOD-026/027/032): Study automation, model validation, and benchmarking across PSS®E, PSCAD, and Aspen.
  
  
• Event Identification & Analysis (PRC-028-1 / PRC-030-1): Equipment inventory, event data management, automated analysis, and corrective action reporting—evidence-ready by design.
  

Teams trade copy-paste and email chains for connected data, instant alerts, and exportable audit packages—reducing errors and cycle time across the board. 

A Practical PRC-029-1 Readiness Plan

1. Map the fleet. Identify BES and Category 2 IBRs and confirm PRC-028-1 recording coverage per collector bus and feeder priorities.
   
   
2. Baseline “as-left.” Centralize inverter, relay, and PPC settings; flag misalignments with PRC-029-1 no-trip zones; eliminate momentary-cessation risks.
   
   
3. Align models. Synchronize PSS®E/PSCAD parameters with settings; run required ride-through scenarios; benchmark and retain overlays.
   
   
4. Automate event analytics. Ingest SCADA/DFR/SER/PMU; detect ride-through failures and 10% real-power changes; auto-generate PRC-030-1 reports and CAPs.
   
   
5. Harden evidence. Use an evidence locker, standardized workflows, and one-click exports to meet retention and audit expectations.  
   

The Upshot

PRC-029-1 is the perfect test case for unified NERC compliance automation: it touches protection engineering, dynamic modeling, and operational event analysis—exactly the places where manual processes introduce risk. GridStrong closes the loop so your plant rides through, your models match reality, and your evidence is audit-ready. 

Talk to an Expert to operationalize PRC-029-1 with a single workflow—or Request a Demo to see automated design checks, model verification, and event reporting in action.