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Small-Signal Stability Support from Dynamically Configurable Grid-Forming/Following Inverters for Distribution Systems: Preprint

Conference ·
OSTI ID:1897623

As the penetration of inverter-based resources (IBRs) continues to increase in modern power systems, system stability is challenged by the insufficient inertia induced by IBRs; hence, there is a need to develop various methods to address the potential instabilities. In this paper, grid-forming (GFM) and grid-following (GFL) controls are implemented for inverters with flexible-mode transitions between them. The operation mode transition between GFM and GFL controls is adopted as an additional degree of control flexibility to adjust the small signal stability margin. Further, a holistic and detailed small signal model of the entire system with the dynamics from both synchronous generators (SGs) and IBRs is derived. The effectiveness of the proposed work in adjusting the system small signal stability margin is validated by conducting case studies with varying penetration levels of IBRs. A test system with one SG and five inverters was implemented in MATLAB/Simulink to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Index Terms - grid-following control, grid-forming control, operation mode transition, small-signal stability analysis

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1897623
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP-6A40-83340; MainId:84113; UUID:c1c30b36-f52f-437b-9ecb-b53adcb4df02; MainAdminID:67910
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English