An Adaptive Inertia and Damping Control Strategy Based on Enhanced Virtual Synchronous Generator Model

In modern converter-dominated power systems, total inertia is very variable and depends on the share of power generated by renewable-based converter-interfaced generation (CIG) at each specific moment. As a result, the limits required by the grid codes on the rate of change of frequency and its nadir or zenith during disturbances become challenging to achieve with conventional control approaches. Therefore, the transition to a novel control strategy of CIG with a grid-forming power converter is relevant. For this purpose, a control algorithm based on a virtual synchronous generator (VSG) is used, which simulates the properties and capabilities of a conventional synchronous generation. However, due to continuously changing operating conditions in converter-dominated power systems, the virtual inertia formed by VSG must be adaptive. At the same time, the efficiency of adaptive algorithms strongly depends on the used VSG structure. In this connection, this paper proposes an enhanced VSG structure for which the transfer function of the active power control loop was formed. With the help of it, the advantages over the conventional VSG structure were proven, which are necessary for the effective adaptive control of the VSG parameters. Then, the analysis of the impact of the VSG parameters on the dynamic response using the transient characteristics in the time domain was performed. Based on the results obtained, adaptive algorithms for independent control of the virtual inertia and the parameters of the VSG damper winding were developed. The performed mathematical modeling confirmed the reliable and effective operation of the developed adaptive control algorithms and the enhanced VSG structure. The theoretical and experimental results obtained in this paper indicate the need for simultaneous development and improvement of both adaptive control algorithms and VSG structures used for this purpose.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the variability of total inertia in modern converter-dominated power systems and proposes a novel control strategy based on a virtual synchronous generator (VSG) to address the challenges caused by renewable-based converter-interfaced generation. The paper introduces an enhanced VSG structure and develops adaptive algorithms for independent control of virtual inertia and VSG parameters. The theoretical and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed control algorithms and VSG structure.