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Testing GFM and GFL Inverters Operating With Synchronous Condensers

Conference ·
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Inverter-based resources (IBRs) are quickly evolving into a source of reliability services to the electric grid. Penetration levels of variable generation are rapidly increasing, ranging from 60% -70% in some systems. To go further, a fundamental shift is required to address challenges associated with grid stability. Synchronous condensers (SCs) are considered an important complementary technology in such transitions. This paper provides one-of-a-kind insights into real experimental results from operating a real MW-scale system consisting of a 2.2-MVA grid-forming (GFM) and grid-following (GFL) battery energy storage system, 2.5-MVA SCs, and a 3-MVA load bank operating as a small, islanded grid. Challenges that are expected in larger systems were mimicked in this small but real system to demonstrate seamless transitions from one mode to another as well as stable operation with different combinations of GFM and GFM resources, including a "loss of last synchronous generator" case. The experimental results presented in this paper are a valuable resource to everyone involved in developing and validating models or developing controls of power systems consisting of inverters and synchronous condensers.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Wind Energy Technologies Office
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
2216932
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP-5D00-84564; MainId:85337; UUID:7734e372-5ff2-48a0-a153-770e7fa22d52; MainAdminID:71078
Resource Relation:
Conference: Presented at the the 2023 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM), 16-20 July 2023, Orlando, Florida
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Evaluation of Inverter-based Grid Frequency Support using Frequency-Watt and Grid-Forming PV Inverters conference August 2018

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Related Subjects

POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
grid-following converter
grid-forming converter
stability
synchronous condenser