Fault Recovery Analysis of Grid-Forming Inverters With Priority-Based Current Limiters

Abstract

Grid-forming (GFM) inverters are required to operate robustly against grid faults. However, due to the limited over-current capability of inverters, current-limiting controls are usually applied to protect these semiconductor devices, which may prevent GFM inverters from a successful fault recovery. To understand this phenomenon, this study analyzes the fault recovery process of a GFM inverter with a priority-based current limiter. According to whether the GFM inverter can ensure transient stability and exit the current-limiting mode after fault clearance, three post-fault scenarios are identified, including normal operation, current limitation, and oscillations. Further, the impacts of the short-circuit ratio and control parameters on the post-fault behavior of GFM inverters are demonstrated. To illustrate the implications of these theoretical results, typical numerical examples are presented. Finally, the theoretical findings are validated through experimental tests.