Frequency Stability and Performance Analysis of Grid Forming Inverter in Grid-Tied Mode Using AC Current Limitation

International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering |
© 2025 by SSRG - IJEEE Journal |
Volume 12 Issue 4 |
Year of Publication : 2025 |
Authors : Hetal Desai, Shweta Dour, Pramod Modi |
How to Cite?
Hetal Desai, Shweta Dour, Pramod Modi, "Frequency Stability and Performance Analysis of Grid Forming Inverter in Grid-Tied Mode Using AC Current Limitation," SSRG International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 201-209, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488379/IJEEE-V12I4P114
Abstract:
Integrating renewable distributed generation with a grid-tied Grid Forming Inverter (GFI) in AC power systems is essential for voltage amplitude and frequency stability. Frequency stability and its performance are governed by classical mechanics in AC power systems having high inertia. Grid-Forming Inverter control strategy is widely accepted by researchers for seamless integration with renewable distributed generation networks. The prime advantage of the GFI control strategy is low inertia compared to conventional Synchronous Machines (SMs). As a result, it provides a fast control response to maintain system stability incorporated due to Synchronous Machines (SMs). An inverter may be compelled to operate in a current-limiting mode that modifies inverter dynamics during grid emergencies like faults, voltage decreases, or frequency and phase jumps. As a result, it is susceptible to losing grid synchronization. In this paper, the system of Synchronous Machine and GFI (low inertia) with AC current limitation control strategy is being introduced. To maintain an appropriate power profile, mitigate load disturbances and limit over current, the AC current limit technique in GFI is used, which introduces reference current restricted to the maximum (Saturated) allowable current value. Frequency stability is taken as a performance parameter here. MATLAB Simulink simulates complete systems with SMs, Droop Control Strategy at SMs side, GFI with voltage and current loop to generate switching time, and AC current limitation techniques. The frequency, voltage and power dynamics have been studied for load disturbance conditions.
Keywords:
Droop control, Grid forming inverter, AC current limiter, inertia, Frequency stability.
References:
[1] Rick Wallace Kenyon et al., “Stability and Control of Power Systems with High Penetrations of Inverter-based Resources: An Accessible Review of Current Knowledge and Open Questions,” Solar Energy, vol. 210, pp. 149-168, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] Integrating Inverter-Based Resources into Low Short Circuit Strength Systems, North American Electric Reliability Corporation, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://www.nerc.com/comm/RSTC_Reliability_Guidelines/Item_4a._Integrating _Inverter Based_Resources_into_Low_Short_Circuit_Strength_Systems_-_2017-11-08-FINAL.pdf
[3] Wenzong Wang et al., “Instability of PLL Synchronized Converter-based Generators in Low Short-Circuit Systems and the Limitations of Positive Sequence Modeling,” North American Power Symposium, Fargo, ND, USA, pp. 1-6, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] ENTSO-E, “High Penetration of Power Electronic Interfaced Power Sources (HPoPEIPS),” ENTSO-E Guidance Document for National Implementation for Network Codes on Grid Connection, Technical Report, 2017.
[Publisher Link]
[5] Karel De Brabandere et al., “A Voltage and Frequency Droop Control Method for Parallel Inverters,” IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 1107-1115, 2007.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] T.L. Vandoorn et al., “Review of Primary Control Strategies for Islanded Microgrids with Power-Electronic Interfaces,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 19, pp. 613-628, 2013.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Ritwik Majumder et al., “Improvement of Stability and Load Sharing in an Autonomous Microgrid Using Supplementary Droop Control Loop,” IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 796-808, 2010.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Jiefeng Hu et al., “Virtual Flux Droop Method-A New Control Strategy of Inverters in Microgrids,” IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 29, no. 9, pp. 4704-4711, 2014.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Lidong Zhang, Lennart Harnefors, and Hans-Peter Nee, “Power-Synchronization Control of Grid-Connected Voltage-Source Converters,” IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 809-820, 2010.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Lennart Harnefors et al., “Robust Analytic Design of Power-Synchronization Control,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 66, no. 8, pp. 5810-5819, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Ke Ji, Hong Lu, and Minxiao Wang, “A Vector-Power Synchronization Control for Grid-Forming Voltage-Source Converters with Enhanced Performance Under Wide SCR Condition,” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 2507-2519, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] Iman Sadeghkhani et al., “A Current Limiting Strategy to Improve Fault Ride-through of Inverter Interfaced Autonomous Microgrids,” IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 2138-2148, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Andrew D. Paquette, and Deepak M. Divan, “Virtual Impedance Current Limiting for Inverters in Microgrids with Synchronous Generators,” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 1630-1638, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Taoufik Qoria et al., “Current Limiting Algorithms and Transient Stability Analysis of Grid-Forming VSCs,” Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 189, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] Guillaume Denis et al., “The Migrate Project: The Challenges of Operating a Transmission Grid with Only Inverter-Based Generation. A Grid-Forming Control Improvement with Transient Current-Limiting Control,” IET Renewable Power Generation, vol. 12, no. 5, pp. 523 529, 2018.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] Xiongfei Wang et al., “Virtual-Impedance based Control for Voltage-Source and Current-Source Converters,” IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 30, no. 12, pp. 7019-7037, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Mukul Chandorkar, Deepak Divan, and Ram Adapa, “Control of Parallel Connected Inverters in Standalone AC Supply Systems,” IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 136-143, 1993.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Nabil Mohammed et al., “Grid-Forming Inverters: A Comparative Study of Different Control Strategies in Frequency and Time Domains,” IEEE Open Journal of the Industrial Electronics Society, vol. 5, pp. 185-214, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] “IEEE Recommended Practice for Excitation System Models for Power System Stability Studies,” IEEE Std 421.5-2016 (Revision of IEEE Std 421.5-2005), pp. 1-207, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Publisher Link]
[20] Xingyou Chen et al., “Transient Stability Analysis and Enhancement of Grid-Forming Converters: A Comprehensive Review,” Electronics, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 1-24, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Emmanuel Ebinyu et al., “Grid-Forming Control: Advancements towards 100% Inverter-Based Grids-A Review,” Energies, vol. 16, no. 22, pp. 1-45, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] Mads Graungaard Taul et al., “Current Limiting Control with Enhanced Dynamics of Grid-Forming Converters During Fault Conditions,” IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 1062-1073, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] Prabha S. Kundur, Power System Stability and Control, McGraw-Hill, 2006.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]