Large-Signal Stability of Grid-Forming and Grid-Following Controls in Voltage Source Converter: A Comparative Study

The grid-forming and grid-following controls are adopted in three-phase voltage source converters according to different grid conditions. However, the basic operation principle of the two kinds of control is different and will lead to the instability of the grid-connected system through various paths. In this article, the energy function model of the grid-forming and grid-following controlled converters are established and compared in detail. The influence of system parameters is studied, and the large-signal stability boundaries are derived through a general method. Moreover, compared to the grid-forming controlled converter, the grid-following converter will lose stability by exhibiting a varying damping coefficient transient. The equivalent damping coefficient can be used as a criterion of whether the grid-forming/following control is suitable for the weak/strong grid condition. The simulation and experiment results show the difference of the transient process and validate the control criterion for different grid strength under large-signal disturbance.

Automated summary

This article compares the energy function models of grid-forming and grid-following controlled converters, studies the influence of system parameters, and derives large-signal stability boundaries. Grid-following converters lose stability by exhibiting a varying damping coefficient transient, which can be used as a criterion for control suitability. Simulation and experiment results validate the control criterion for different grid strength under large-signal disturbance.