Dynamic Voltage Stiffness Control Technique for a Virtual Oscillator based Grid-forming Controller

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel dynamic voltage stiffness control method for virtual oscillator controllers in grid-forming inverters, enhancing reactive power management and stability during grid disturbances.

Contribution

It proposes a virtual impedance-based control technique for dynamic voltage stiffness adjustment in VOCs, with a systematic design and stability analysis.

Findings

Improved reactive power regulation during voltage sags.

Enhanced stability of VOCs with the proposed control.

Better synchronization with the grid under varying conditions.

Abstract

Virtual oscillator control is the latest control technique for grid-forming inverters. Virtual Oscillator based Controllers (VOCs) provide all the steady-state droop functionalities of conventional droop controllers and, in addition, the time-domain synchronization with a connected electrical network. However, existing literature does not consider the aspect of dynamic control over the voltage stiffness of a VOC. Voltage stiffness is a vital parameter for a grid-forming inverter. If the voltage stiffness is too high, the inverter picks up all the reactive power demand of the PCC. In contrast, if the stiffness is too low, the inverter does not participate in voltage regulation at all. Limiting the reactive power output during a higher voltage sag, especially when connected to a weak grid, is challenging for a VOC. Entering into the current control mode is the existing solution, but it severely affects the effective synchronization between the VOC and the voltages of the PCC. As a result, the grid-forming mode of operation becomes inefficient. This article has introduced a Virtual Impedance (VIm) based dynamic voltage stiffness control technique for VOCs. The systematic design procedure for the proposed voltage stiffness controller is presented. In addition, a rigorous approach for stability analysis is presented.