Clause-by-Clause Summary of Requirements in IEEE Std 1547-2018

This page provides an overview of NREL's clause-by-clause summary report of the revised Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard 1547-2018 (IEEE Std 1547-2018). The report summarizes the 11 clauses of the standard, which cover specific requirements for integrating distributed energy resources (DERs) with the distribution system.

Technical Report

Clause-by-Clause Summary of Requirements in IEEE Std 1547-2018 (Narang et al. 2020)
This NREL technical report provides a quick reference guide to the technical requirements specified in the IEEE Std 1547-2018. In addition to providing an overall summary of the standard's 11 clauses, the document also highlights the default and optional settings for parameters. Clause summaries include identification of the key stakeholders and, to a limited extent, the expected level of involvement they should have in decisions related to implementation of the standard.

Key Takeaways

The underlying technical concepts provided in IEEE Std 1547-2018 require thorough study, involvement, and coordination among multiple stakeholders to apply the various DER settings and configurations. Each clause of the standard is summarized below and includes:

  • The main stakeholders and their roles
  • The requirement defaults and options for implementing the standard.

IEEE Std 1547-2018 Clauses

Clauses 1–3: Summary of Introductory Clauses

Clause 1 presents a high-level overview of the revisions to the standard, including general topics, scope, purpose, and limitations. It also provides technical vocabulary and key terms and concepts that address the point of common coupling and point of DER connection. Additionally, Clause 1 discusses supplemental DER device and performance categories for normal and abnormal grid conditions. Clause 2 focuses on normative references and lists technical material that users must understand and apply to meet the standard. Clause 3 provides definitions and acronyms used in the standard.

Clause 4: Summary of General Technical Specifications and Performance Requirements

Clause 4 introduces concepts, key terms, and requirements that are discussed in more depth throughout the rest of the standard. Sub-clauses discuss implementation and configurability of the requirements and settings as well as defaults and optional configurations. Targeted stakeholders include the utility (electric power system) operator, DER manufacturer, DER operator, testing agency, solar or other DER developer/integrator, and commissioning agency.

Clause 5: Summary of Requirements for Reactive Power and Voltage/Power Control

Clause 5 specifies voltage regulation capabilities for operating different kinds of DERs. Depending on the DER control strategy, the capabilities are implemented via four modes of operation which include: (1) constant power factor control mode, (2) voltage-reactive power control mode, (3) active power-reactive power control mode, and (4) constant reactive power control mode. Targeted stakeholders include the area electric power system operator, DER operator, DER manufacturer, testing agency, and commissioning agency.

Clause 6: Summary of Requirements for DER Response to Area Electric Power System Abnormal Conditions

Clause 6 specifies requirements for DERs' response to abnormal conditions, including voltage ride-through and frequency ride-through. The capabilities specified in this clause are intended to support bulk power system reliability in regions that include high levels of DERs. Targeted stakeholders include the area electric power system operator, DER operator, DER manufacturer, testing agency, the commissioning agency, and the bulk power system operator.

Clause 7: Summary of Requirements for Power Quality

Clause 7 specifies requirements for power quality performance that DERs must comply with. Targeted stakeholders include the DER manufacturer and the testing agency.

Clause 8: Summary of Requirements for Islanding

Clause 8 specifies requirements for intentional and unintentional islanding, including black-start capability. Targeted stakeholders include the DER manufacturer, area electric power system operator, DER operator, testing agency, and commissioning agency.

Clause 9: Summary of Requirements for Distributed Energy Resources on Distribution Secondary and Spot Networks

Clause 9 specifies requirements for DERs on distribution secondary grid, area, or street networks and spot networks. Targeted stakeholders include the area electric power system operator, DER operator, and DER manufacturer.

Clause 10: Summary of Requirements for Interoperability

Clause 10 specifies requirements for interoperability, which is defined as mandatory support for selected communication protocols, requirements for monitoring, control and information exchange, and requirements for standardized information for nameplate, configuration, monitoring and DER management. Targeted stakeholders include DER manufacturers. If interoperability capabilities are used, additional stakeholders include the area electric power system operator, DER operator, testing agency, and the commissioning agency.

Clause 11: Summary of Requirements for Test and Verification

Clause 11 specifies the requirements for testing and verification to ensure that DERs meet the standard's performance requirements. Targeted stakeholders include DER manufacturers, testing agencies, commissioning agencies, the area electric power system operator, DER operator, and DER owner.


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