Open-Source Distributed Energy Resource (OpenDER) Model: Harmonizing Accurate Interpretations of IEEE Std 1547-2018

With the latest edition of IEEE Standard 1547™ published in 2018 and amended in 2020, and IEEE 1547.1 tested/UL 1741 SB certified inverters entering the market, there are strong interests to have accurate distributed energy resource (DER) models to support the proper assessment of DER impacts on power systems. This paper introduces an open-source distributed energy resource (OpenDER) model, which aims to represent the functional definitions and requirements of IEEE Standard 1547-2018. It can be used to analyze steady-state and dynamic (fundamental frequency phasor component) behaviors of DERs for planning and interconnection studies. A publicly available model specification document is also released, which complements the OpenDER model software to help the industry reach consensus interpretations and utilize this open-source model and/or develop their own model rapidly and accurately. Example model specifications and applications of the OpenDER model are provided in this paper to demonstrate the need for an accurate DER model for distribution analysis.