IEEE 1547 Standards Advancing Grid Modernization

Thomas Basso, Sudipta Chakraborty, Andy Hoke, and Michael Coddington

National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado, 80401, United States of America
Abstract Technology advances including development of
advanced distributed energy resources (DER) and gridintegrated operations and controls functionalities have surpassed
the requirements in current standards and codes for DER
interconnection with the distribution grid. The full revision of
IEEE
Standards
1547
(requirements
for
DER-grid
interconnection and interoperability) and 1547.1 (test procedures
for conformance to 1547) are establishing requirements and best
practices for state-of-the-art DER including variable renewable
energy sources. The revised standards will also address
challenges associated with interoperability and transmission-level
effects, in addition to strictly addressing the distribution grid
needs. This paper provides the status and future direction of the
ongoing development focus for the 1547 standards.
Index Terms conformance, converter, distributed energy
resources, grid, IEEE 1547, integration, interconnection,
interoperability, inverter, microgrid, power system, Smart Grid,
standard, storage, testing.

I. INTRODUCTION1
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Standard 1547 has been a foundational document for the
interconnection of distributed energy resources (DER) with
the electric power system or the grid. IEEE 1547 is unique as
the only American National Standard addressing overall
systems-level DER interconnected with the distribution grid. It
has had a significant effect on how the energy industry does
business, and it (along with ongoing revisions) should
continue to influence the way electric power systems operate
far into the future. IEEE 1547 has helped to modernize our
electric power systems infrastructure by providing a
foundation for integrating clean renewable energy
technologies and other distributed generation and energy
storage technologies. IEEE 1547 provides mandatory
functional technical requirements and specifications, as well
as flexibility and choices, for equipment and operating details
that are compliant with the standard. The 1547 development
has, in large part, been accomplished through industry support
and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)/National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) support of IEEE
standards development. And more recently, the IEEE 2030
series of standards for Smart Grid interoperability is helping to
further realize greater implementation of communications and

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy

under Contract No. DE-AC36-08-GO28308 with the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory.

978-1-4799-7944-8/15/$31.00 2015 IEEE

information technologies that provide state-of-the-art solutions

for enhanced integration of DER and loads with the grid.
II. THE 1547 AND 1547.1 AMENDED STANDARDS
Traditionally, as a technical standard, 1547 has provided
local, state, and federal regulators and policymakers a
technical basis for promoting transparency, openness, and
fairness in implementing DER interconnecting to the grid.
And in recent times, with higher penetration levels of DERs
and with advanced functionalities of interconnection systems
such as advanced autonomous and communications-based
features for inverters, revision of IEEE 1547 was initiated by a
diverse group of volunteers [1].
The first phase of revising 1547 was the publication of
1547a (Amendment 1 to 1547) in May 2014 [2]. In
Amendment 1, the operators of the distribution grid and the
DERs are required to mutually agree if the DER is allowed to
actively participate to regulate the grid voltage by changes to
the real and reactive power output of the DER. Generally, the
DER equipment could respond autonomously to variations in
grid voltage, and/or via communicated settings, and/or via a
time schedule. This allowable advanced functionality provides
a more robust grid and is inherently integrated with utility grid
operating practices.
Similarly in 1547a, under mutual agreement between the
operators of the grid and the DERs, the DER is permitted
much wider latitude in how it responds to grid abnormal
voltage and frequency conditions, including that DER are now
clearly allowed to provide voltage and frequency ride-through.
The required voltage and frequency equipment functionalities
are greatly expanded in the Amendment and the operational
flexibility is enhanced.
To provide the necessary test procedures for the 1547a
Amendment 1, IEEE Std 1547.1 was revised to cover testing
for voltage-regulation equipment functionality and for voltage
and frequency ride-through [3]. The 1547.1a amended
standard was published in March 2015. In that amendment,
four testing categories for DER voltage-regulation support of
the grid were established for interconnection equipment under
test (EUT):
EUT responds to variations in voltage as per the
manufacturer-specified response characteristics.
EUT responds to communicated settings as per the
manufacturer-specified
protocols,
means
of
communications, and response characteristics.
EUT responds to a time schedule as per the manufacturerspecified response characteristics.

 The EUT reactive-power output changes with respect to

real-power output, as per the manufacturer-specified
response characteristics.
These advanced test procedures thus allow certification testing
for the new voltage-regulation functionalities.
III. THE FULL REVISION OF 1547 AND 1547.1 STANDARDS
Technology advances and development of advanced DER
grid-integrated operations and controls functionalities, and
Smart Grid interoperability research and development are
surpassing the requirements in the amended 1547a and
1547.1a standards for DER. Subsequently, the full revision of
1547 was initiated, with the first meeting in April 2014.
The full revision of 1547 Draft Standard for
Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy
Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems
Interfaces," now addresses interoperability and associated
interface aspects and will build from IEEE Standard 2030 in
addition to the 1547 series. The definition of interface
related to the full revision of 1547 follows: interface a
logical interconnection from one entity to another that
supports one or more data flows implemented with one or
more data links (IEEE 2030). Figure 1 includes the
definition of interoperability (IEEE 2030) and graphically
depicts the interoperability focus areas for the electric power,
communications, and information technologies that constitute
the technological heart of the Smart Grid.
The full revision of 1547 has substantial participation of
individual utilities and participation from a number of
transmission-level authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs).
State regulatory experts have asked NREL and DOE to
accelerate the IEEE 1547 standards revisions. Also, the North
American Electric Reliability Corporation and a number of
transmission grid, independent system operators, and regional
transmission operators are actively participating in updating
the 1547 standard. Full revision of 1547 is being coordinated
with corresponding standards and codes such as the National
Electrical Code (NEC) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
safety standards and state-level interconnection regulations
such as Californias Electric Rule 21 and Hawaiian Electric
Company Rule 14H.
The full revision of 1547 is addressing distribution-level
connected DER, which includes:
Generation and storage, including storage as a load
Advanced functionalities of both DER and modern grid
equipment
Distributiontransmission impacts and crossharmonization of requirements
DER supplying adequate inertia (or inertia-like functions)
for the grid
Microgrids
Very high-penetration of renewables and other DERs
Intermittency and uncertainty of renewable generation

978-1-4799-7944-8/15/$31.00 2015 IEEE

Two-way communications, controls, and dispatchability

Interoperability and intelligent devices integration
Demand response and load effects
Potential
interactive
effects
among
advanced
requirements and specifications
Introduction and incorporation of advanced evaluation
and testing approaches such as enhanced modeling and
simulation requirements
Consideration and acceptance of power hardware-in-theloop and control hardware-in-the-loop technology
Potential requirements and specifications considering
security, reliability, and resiliency aspects of DERgrid
interconnections.

Interoperability: the capability of two or more networks, systems,

devices, applications, or components to externally exchange and
readily use information securely & effectively. (Std 2030)

Fig. 1. Smart Grid interoperability: the integration of power,

communications, and information technologies.

As a result of the full revision of IEEE 1547, the full

revision of 1547.1 (test procedures) is necessary. And to test
advanced features of DERs along with their compatibility with
modernized grid operations, new testing methodologies are
being considered. Some DER advanced grid-support features
will be interdependent, so these new test procedures should
verify that interactions between features do not negatively
affect grid safety, stability, or power quality. In addition,
advanced grid-support features operate on a range of time
scalesfrom milliseconds to many minutesso the new test
protocols should also test the dynamic response of DER. The
new test protocols will build upon the success of IEEE Std
1547 by preserving the characteristics of IEEE Std 1547.1 to
the extent possible, including its balance between generality
and prescriptiveness. To establish new tests considered for
full revision of 1547.1, stakeholders are first considering
results from more in-depth performance characterization tests
beyond strictly standards conformance tests. Example
potential extensions of such tests include the following:
Tests for voltage and frequency ride-through curves that
are not step functions (if implemented by manufacturers)

The IEEE 1547.1 working group needs to explore and

validate effective conformance tests that do not overly burden
conformance testing with procedures geared to full
2
frequency
Irms
60

55

10

15

20
25
time, seconds

30

current, p.u.

frequency, Hz

65

0
35

Fig. 2. A sample test of a photovoltaic inverters highfrequency ride-through function with the high-frequency power
curtailment (frequency-watt) function enabled.

978-1-4799-7944-8/15/$31.00 2015 IEEE

1.1

2
1

p.u.

voltage, p.u

-1

0.9
0

reactive power, pu

Tests for frequency support/response functions, such as

those described in [4] and [5]. An example of such a test
is shown in Fig. 2.
Tests for voltage-regulation methods not in 1547.1
Amendment 1
Testing of advanced grid-support features in an
environment that simulates realistic power system
dynamics (i.e., Power Hardware in the Loop PHIL), for
example, as described in [6]. For DER functions that
interact dynamically with the distribution system, PHIL
testing can replicate the full closed-loop dynamic system
in a way that traditional open-loop DER testing does not.
Although this type of testing may or may not be
incorporated directly into standards testing, the results of
such tests do serve to inform the standards development
process. An example of such a test is shown in Fig. 3.
Testing of multiple inverters with advanced features to
study their dynamic interaction and performance. This
type of testing may also incorporate elements of a
distribution system into the test setup, such as
interconnecting impedances between various DERs,
allowing interactions between multiple inverters and the
distribution grid to be examined experimentally in a
controlled environment. Elements of distribution systems
such as interconnected impedances can be implemented in
hardware or simulated using PHIL, as described in [7].
Again, although it is not clear whether it is beneficial to
incorporate this type of testing directly into standards, it
can serve to inform the standards development process
for example, by helping determine what sets of control
parameters for advanced grid-support functions work well
(and what sets of parameters may lead to undesirable
behavior).
Testing that incorporates both communications systems
and power systems into the same tests, such as those
described in [8] and [9].

100

200
time, seconds

300

V
Q

-2
400

2
Q
Qcmd

-2
105

110

115
120
125
L-N voltage, Vrms

130

135

Fig. 3. An example of a PHIL test of inverter-based voltage

regulation where a simple distribution system model is used to
emulate the dynamic response of the electric power system. In
this test, the inverter is in volt-VAR mode.

characterization performance or research.

With the
proliferation of new DER features and interconnection
applications, there are significant challenges to design
standardized tests that are thorough without being
unnecessarily burdensome.
IV. EXAMPLE CONSIDERATIONS FOR 1547/1547.1 REVISION
The following information presents works in progress that
are subject to change by the 1547/1547.1 working groups.
These examples are for illustrative purposes onlyto convey
the general direction that the revised standards are headed.
The full revision of 1547 is considering significant
requirements addressing grid support, interoperability and
associated interfaces, and additional interconnection effects
beyond the point of common coupling. Differentiated
requirements are being considered based on various defined
categories of DER. Currently, there are draft categories
identified for DER providing voltage-regulation support and
for DER interconnection response to grid abnormalities of
voltage and frequency. The terminology of these categories
and the differentiated functionalities of the DER remain under
discussion and are being harmonized with various
performance requirements in the industry. Example draft text
for DER capability to support voltage regulation follows:
The DER shall be capable of injecting reactive power to the
system (over-excited) and absorbing reactive power from the
system (under-excited); and, The DER shall provide the
capabilities of the following modes of reactive power control
functions: power factor mode; voltage-reactive power (VoltVAr) mode; active power-power factor mode (watt-pf); and
reactive power mode. Whereas this is generally a widely
accepted approach and may appear straightforward, the details
of the required and allowable values and ranges of the
performance parameters are being vigorously debated.
Similarly for DER response to grid abnormal voltage and

frequency, the technical details for voltage and frequency ridethrough are nearing consensus by the working group.
The full revision of 1547 and 1547.1 is also considering
new requirements and test procedures to address emerging
topics not covered in previous editions. For example, under
the general heading of power quality, several more welldefined requirements are likely to be introduced into the
standards. One such topic includes transient over-voltages
(TOV) that may occur when distribution feeders with
significant levels of DERs experience faults. Recent testing
has shown that inverter-based DERs behave significantly
differently from machine-based DERs in such situations [10]
[12], so standards may need to be updated to reflect these
findings. Figure 4 shows an example of a TOV test result.
Interoperability is another topic new to the full revision of
1547 and 1547.1.
Such requirements or designated
allowances are being considered for communications,
information models, and protocols. In the modern grid,
interoperability will play a key role, enabling more effective
interactions between grid and DER operators. Related to
interoperability, cybersecurity, privacy, and confidentiality
considerations are being discussed. Generally, it is agreed for
interoperability concerns that relevant standards should be
used as much as possible. However, it is not generally agreed
within the working group what level of detailed requirements
should be included in the 1547 standard.
With the increasing interest in storage-based DER and with
DER applications that incorporate both storage and renewable
energy sources such as photovoltaics, the revised standard is
expected to include additional considerations for multi-mode
inverters, or inverters that can operate both in grid-interactive
mode and in stand-alone (planned island) mode. IEEE 1547
revisions to address multi-mode DER inverters will be
coordinated with the ongoing work of the UL 1741 working
group on this topic.
Other topics being considered for the full revision of 1547
include: additional requirements for DER on distribution
secondary networks; new requirements addressing transition
modes for planned islanding; new requirements for modeling
and simulation; and if there might be specific, additional
requirements for electric vehicles and for energy storage (e.g.,
storage functioning as both a load and a power source).
IV. CLOSING REMARKS
The full revision of the IEEE 1547 standard, including
interoperability and associated interface aspects and the
subsequent full revision of IEEE 1547.1 (conformance
testing), is critical to the power industry and the evolution of
the electricity infrastructure. This is because the 1547 and
1547.1 standards provide the widely accepted engineering
consensus for properly ensuring grid performance and
reliability levels are at least maintained (or increased) when
interconnecting DER with the grid. These revised standards:
Enable high penetration of DER, including clean solar
technologies, at levels approaching or exceeding, 100%
peak load,

978-1-4799-7944-8/15/$31.00 2015 IEEE

Fig. 4. An example of a transient overvoltage test of a PV

inverter. This test addresses a type of TOV known as loadrejection overvoltage (LRO), which can occur when part of a
distribution system is islanded containing more distributed
generation than load [11]. For the brief time before the DER
inverter controllers disconnect from the grid, the DER output
power is directed into the load. Although current-controlled
inverters such as photovoltaic inverters may be more prone to
LRO than synchronous machines, inverter controllers can also
react very quickly, mitigating any TOV. In the test shown here,
the inverter-to-load power ratio was 10:1, and the inverter took
about five line-cycles to disconnect.

Reduce interconnection approval time for advanced DER

projects,
Reduce interconnection costs for projects, and
Accelerate conformance validation of state-of-the-art
interconnection systems for the future grid.
The interoperability, communications, and information
technology integrated functionalities into interconnection
systems will also:
Enable the success of new business models and valuations
for utilities and customers,
Support transactive roles of customers, and
Improve grid awareness of interconnected DER, including
helping to mitigate concerns about intermittency and
dispatchability of renewable energy technologies.
Whereas the 1547 series of standards continue to evolve,
new technical standards alone are not immediately effective
for advancing grid modernization. Effectiveness involves
acceptance and understanding of the revised standards among
a broad consensus of stakeholders, as well as coherent
implementation across the physical boundaries of the
transmission and distribution electric grid infrastructure.
Those stakeholders include utilities, manufacturers, authorities
having jurisdiction over the grid, system integrators, and DER
owners (electricity customers). Updated 1547 standards are
paramount for successfully accelerating the evolution of the
modern grid. However, additional key success factors include
improved standards conformance programs, transparent
market requirements, and ongoing research and development
for hardware and software advances in power,
communications, and information technologies for DER and
for the grid.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of Alvin
Razon, Ranga Pitchumani, and Minh Le from the DOE-EERE
Solar Energy Technologies Office and Dan Ton of the DOE
Office of Electricity for funding this work. Additionally, the
authors gratefully acknowledge the volunteers contributing to
IEEE 1547 and IEEE 2030 series development.
REFERENCES
[1] IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 21, IEEE P1547
Draft 2: Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of
Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power
Systems Interfaces," June 2015, IEEE Standards Association.
[2] IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 21, "IEEE Std 1547 Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with
Electric Power Systems," (Amendment 1), May 2014,
Piscataway New Jersey, IEEE Press.
[3] IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 21, IEEE Std 1547.1
- Standard Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment
Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power
Systems, (Amendment 1) March 2015, Piscataway, New
Jersey, IEEE Press.
[4] A. Hoke, S. Chakraborty, T. Basso, and M. Coddington, Beta
Test Plan for Advanced Inverters Interconnecting Distributed
Resources with Electric Power Systems, January 2014,
Technical Report NREL/TP-5D00-60931, National Renewable
Energy Laboratory.

978-1-4799-7944-8/15/$31.00 2015 IEEE

[5] A. Hoke, S. Chakraborty, and T. Basso, Testing of Advanced

PV Inverters Conforming to IEEE Standard 1547 Amendment
1, IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), Denver,
CO, June 2014.
[6] A. Hoke, S. Chakraborty, and T. Basso, A Power Hardware-inthe-Loop Framework for Advanced Grid-interactive Inverter
Testing, 2015 IEEE Innovative Smart Grid Technologies
Conference (ISGT), Washington, DC.
[7] S. Chakraborty, A. Hoke, and B. Lundstrom, Evaluation of
Multiple Inverter Volt-VAR Control Interactions with Realistic
Grid Impedances, IEEE Power and Energy Society General
Meeting, Denver, CO, July 2015.
[8] J. Johnson, S. Gonzalez, M. E. Ralph, A. Ellis, and R.
Broderick, Test Protocols for Advanced Inverter
Interoperability Functions Main Document, Sandia National
Laboratories, SAND2013-9880, Nov. 2013.
[9] J. Johnson, S. Gonzalez, A. Ellis, and R. Broderick, Test
Protocols for Advanced Inverter Interoperability Functions
Appendices, Sandia National Laboratories, SAND2013-9875,
2013.
[10] A. Nelson, A. Hoke, S. Chakraborty, J. Chebahtah, T. Wang,
and B. Zimmerly, Inverter Load Rejection Over-voltage
Testing, NREL/TP-5D00-63510, February 2015.
[11] A. Nelson, A. Hoke, S. Chakraborty, M. Ropp, J. Chebahtah, T.
Wang, and B. Zimmerly, Experimental Investigation of Load
Rejection Over-Voltage from Grid-Tied Solar Inverters, IEEE
Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2015
[12] A. Hoke, A. Nelson, S. Chakraborty, J. Chebahtah, T. Wang,
and M. McCarty, Inverter Ground Fault Overvoltage Testing,
NREL/TP-5D00- 64173, 2015.