Webinar: Benefits of GFM Study Discussion

Featured Speakers: Ryan Quint, President and CEO, Elevate; Farhad Yahyaie, Head of Power System Studies and Modeling, Elevate; Andrew Isaacs, Vice President, Electranix; Lukas Unruh, Engineering Manager, Electranix

Webinar Abstract: Grid forming (GFM) inverter technology continues to be a focal point of discussion and a potential key ingredient to the energy transition. GFM is particularly attractive in battery energy storage systems (BESS) for multiple reasons and is commercially available today. However, a small number of GFM projects exist in the US. This may be due to gaps in the “pathway to widespread adoption” of GFM technology, particularly in BESS. Limited understanding of the models and studies that prove the technology brings value and supports reliability in a larger interconnected bulk power system is an immediate challenge.

To address this challenge, a study team embarked on studying the performance of GFM models supplied from multiple original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Both GFM and grid following (GFL) models were tested against the NERC GFM functional specification and test procedures. GFM BESS models were then integrated into the American Transmission Company (ATC) system in a weak network and strong network to test the performance of GFM BESS. The primary objectives of this work were to test whether GFM BESS is a “do no harm solution,” how significant growth of GFM BESS would affect system performance, how GFM BESS operates in weak and strong grids, and whether GFM can serve as a viable solution to defer other longer lead-time solution options. This webinar will cover the work done, key findings, and recommendations moving forward in this area.

About the Speakers:
Ryan Quint is the Founder and CEO of Elevate Energy Consulting, where he is responsible for the strategic direction and execution of Elevate projects across all verticals. Ryan is focused on building a world-class team of experts partnering with industry to tackle emerging challenges facing our grid. Prior to launching Elevate, Ryan spent nearly 9 years at NERC, most recently as the Director of Engineering and Security Integration, where he led numerous strategic initiatives focused on emerging reliability risk mitigations. Ryan also has industry experience at Dominion Energy Virginia and the Bonneville Power Administration. He received his PhD from Virginia Tech and is a registered professional engineer. Ryan is also recipient of the IEEE Outstanding Young Engineer of the Year award.

Farhad Yahyaie is the Head of Power System Studies and Modeling at Elevate Energy Consulting, where he leads all of Elevate’s modeling and study projects. He has a passion for engineering and problem solving, with over 14 years of industrial, research, and teaching experience in power systems. His expertise encompasses a wide range of power system studies, including dynamic stability assessment, electromagnetic transient studies, model development, and model validation for synchronous generators and renewables. Farhad’s past experience includes consulting experience at Siemens PTI Canada and Powertech Labs. He received his PhD from University of Toronto and is a registered professional engineer in BC.

Andrew Isaacs is Vice President at Electranix Corporation, where he has been for over 20 years. He currently specializes in renewable interconnections, weak grid and SSO issues, grid-forming inverter application and specification, large load interconnections, as well as large scale EMT system modelling and process implementation. Additional current efforts include specification and support for FACTs, training for utility planners, and study team leadership. Andrew obtained his M.Sc.(EE) from the University of Manitoba, Canada. He is an active participant in working groups through NERC, CIGRE, ESIG, and the IEEE.

Lukas Unruh is an Engineering Manager and Studies Engineer at Electranix Corporation, specializing in assessing grid impact, stability limits, and IBR performance in complex network conditions through detailed EMT modeling and simulation. He has expertise in traditional and advanced IBR control concepts, power system modeling, and stability analysis. Actively engaged in industry initiatives, Lukas contributes to NERC, IEEE, and ESIG working groups, advancing education and standard development in IBR performance and EMT study concepts.

Moderator: Julia Matevosyan, Associate Director, Chief Engineer, ESIG

Registration Cost: FREE

Q&A Session: We will be using the Slido platform for Q&A. Please submit your questions and follow-along during the event at this link.