Inverter Controls for Smooth Transition Operation of Networked Microgrids

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

2 Scopus Citations

Abstract

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.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
Event27th International Conference on Electricity Distribution (CIRED 2023) - Rome, Italy
Duration: 12 Jun 202315 Jun 2023

Conference

Conference27th International Conference on Electricity Distribution (CIRED 2023)
CityRome, Italy
Period12/06/2315/06/23

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-5D00-84035

Keywords

  • grid forming controls
  • inverters
  • microgrids

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