Inverter Controls for Smooth Transition Operation of Networked Microgrids

Conference · Fri Sep 29 04:00:00 EDT 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2023.0728· OSTI ID:2283659

Sawant, Jay Ramesh; Jain, Rishabh; Pratt, Annabelle

Islanding sections of a distribution grid as microgrids and networking these microgrids offer promising opportunities for improving system reliability; however, this approach may need distributed energy resources (DERs) to switch between grid-connected and islanded operation without affecting the system stability. The Thevenin impedance of the power system at the DER point of common coupling changes due to networking actions. It is critical to have smooth transitions between modes to ensure stable system operation and to avoid nuisance tripping. This paper presents the design of a grid-forming (GFM)-capable inverter control scheme to reliably operate in distribution systems with networked microgrids. Control mechanisms for smooth transitions between grid-following (GFL) and GFM inverter modes are presented. First, we test the control mechanism on a simple two-source power system through electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations using a digital real-time simulator. Then, we add multiple such DERs to the EMT model of a real-world distribution feeder and demonstrate stable operation between mode transitions during the networking of the microgrids.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Electricity (OE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 2283659
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP-5D00-84035; MainId:84808; UUID:936de4ba-4240-4657-bf0c-7e0c27c7203c; MainAdminId:71698
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
grid forming controls
inverters
microgrids