2026 Event Schedule

As clean energy goals accelerate in the United States and around the world, renewable energy (e.g., PV, wind) penetration continues to increase in electric power systems. Conventional synchronous machine-based generations are being replaced by inverter-based resources (IBR) in both transmission and distribution networks. Consequently, grid services traditionally provided by synchronous machines need to be carried out by IBRs to maintain system stability, power quality, and resilience.

However, most of today’s IBRs are based on grid-following inverters which are prone to stability issues and operational challenges in an inverter-dominated power system. Recent incidents reported by distribution utilities like Avangrid have revealed voltage oscillations and flicker in feeders with high inverter-based DER penetration, likely due to inverter instability under weak grid conditions. These challenges underscore the urgent need for advanced inverter control strategies, particularly grid-forming (GFM) control, to support the reliable operation of distribution grids with high DER penetration.

While GFM inverters have been deployed in utility-scale microgrids to enhance grid resilience, utilities continue to face significant challenges in these applications. These include establishing well-defined performance requirements, identifying and mitigating common failure modes, and developing robust procedures for evaluating GFM inverter behavior under diverse operating conditions. Additionally, the broader value proposition and practical feasibility of deploying GFM inverters in distribution grid-connected (blue-sky) scenarios to improve grid stability and power quality remain insufficiently understood across the industry.

This panel will explore the evolving role of GFM inverters in distribution systems, encompassing both microgrid applications that enhance resilience and grid-connected scenarios that improve stability and power quality. It will feature distribution utilities with extensive experience deploying inverter-based microgrids and pioneering the application of GFM inverters under blue-sky conditions, alongside insights from a research institute.