Grid-Connected Power Converters: An Overview of Control Strategies for Renewable Energy

The move towards a greener energy mix to fight climate change propels investments in converter-interfaced resources such as wind and photovoltaics, energy storage systems and electric vehicles. The ongoing evolution of the power system is occurring at a very fast pace, challenging transmission and distribution system operators to seek solutions that are not only adequate for this moment but also for future scenarios. Ongoing research in the fields of power electronics, power systems and control aims at developing control strategies that will help the energy transition to occur, while keeping a stable, secure and reliable power system. The objective of this paper is to present a critical review of the control strategies developed for grid-connected power converters found in renewable energy systems, energy storage systems and electric vehicles. The impact of grid-connected converters on the stability of power grids is also reviewed, highlighting the promising control strategies for enhancing system stability.

Automated summary

The increasing focus on environmental protection has led to investments in converter-interfaced resources such as wind and photovoltaics, energy storage systems, and electric vehicles. The rapid evolution of the power system challenges transmission and distribution system operators to find solutions that are suitable for both current and future scenarios. Ongoing research in power electronics, power systems, and control aims to develop control strategies that facilitate the energy transition while ensuring a stable, secure, and reliable power system. This paper provides a critical review of control strategies for grid-connected power converters used in renewable energy systems, energy storage systems, and electric vehicles. The impact of grid-connected converters on power grid stability is also discussed, highlighting promising control strategies to enhance system stability.