Stability of interacting grid-connected power converters

Abstract

The power grid in a typical micro distribution system is non-ideal, presenting itself as a voltage source with significant impedance. Thus, grid-connected converters interact with each other via the non-ideal grid. In this study, we consider the practical scenario of voltage-source converters connected to a three-phase voltage source with significant impedance. We show that stability can be compromised in the interacting converters. Specifically, the stable operating regions in selected parameter space may be reduced when grid-connected converters interact under certain conditions. In this paper, we develop bifurcation boundaries in the parameter space with respect to Hopf-type instability. A small-signal model in the dq-frame is adopted to analyze the system using an impedance-based approach. Moreover, results are presented in design-oriented forms so as to facilitate the identification of variation trends of the parameter ranges that guarantee stable operation.