Converting Energy: The Rise of Inverter-Based Resources

Inverter-based resources (IBRs) are, in a nutshell, converters of electrical energy from dc to ac. They are the key technology that facilitates the connection of solar photovoltaics (PVs), Type 3 and Type 4 wind turbines (which include both ac/dc and dc/ac converters), and battery energy storage systems to conventional ac power grids. Wind and solar electricity generation is currently growing due to several factors, and consequently, so is the deployment of IBRs. As the share of IBRs in large power systems increases, displacing synchronous generators, it is critical that standardized methods are available that ensure operational stability, reliability, and resilience are maintained.