Reports and Whitepapers
White Papers
Understanding the Root Causes of NERC Regulatory Compliance Violations
Abstract
NERC reliability standards are the backbone of grid stability in North America, but violations continue to challenge operational integrity and financial sustainability for energy providers. This white paper investigates the core organizational weaknesses behind these violations, starting with the role of corporate culture, and explores how systemic gaps—from internal misalignments to procedural oversights—translate into regulatory failures. With recent penalties exceeding $60 million, the findings carry important implications for utility executives, compliance officers, and investors seeking risk-aware operational models.
Navigating NERC Compliance for IBR Owners
Introduction
In 2025, small to mid-sized renewable asset owners, particularly solar-plus-storage and battery hybrid sites, are facing a new regulatory reality. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), in collaboration with FERC, has lowered the compliance threshold for Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs),
bringing even smaller assets into the fold of NERC registration. The shift from megawatt thresholds to impact-based criteria means that many operators who previously thought they were exempt are now nominated for compliance under the Generator Owner (GO-IBR) or Generator Operator (GOP-IBR)
categories.
This paper provides a simple ‘survival guide’ for small IBR operators navigating this shift, focusing on what it means to be nominated, how to prepare for NERC compliance, and what resources and partners can assist you in the process.