NERC Submits Final Order 901 Milestone Standards to FERC

On November 4, 2026, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) submitted its final Order No. 901 milestone package to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The package includes reliability standards addressing grid planning and operational risks associated with the growing use of inverter-based resources (IBR), including wind, solar and energy storage.

The standards call for stronger system planning studies and performance monitoring. The submission brings those two activities into focus as grid operators and equipment suppliers assess how inverter-based resources will be integrated into the power system.

Potential Implications for Planning and Equipment

For planning teams, the emphasis on system studies could affect how they assess the performance of a grid with a high share of inverter-based resources. Greater attention to performance monitoring could also influence what information operators need to evaluate those resources during operation.

For suppliers of grid control systems, storage equipment and solar inverters, the potential impact is linked to equipment acceptance and the ability to support the relevant planning and monitoring requirements. The extent of any changes will depend on the standards' specific provisions and their implementation.

The submission is a milestone in the standards process, not by itself evidence that new equipment requirements are already in force. FERC's response and subsequent implementation details will be important to understanding the practical effects.