Virtual Inductance for Stable Operation of Grid-Interactive Voltage Source Inverters

Abstract

In this paper, a feedforward virtual inductance control strategy is developed for the stability of voltage source inverters (VSIs) in weak grids. A weak grid is characterized by a low short-circuit ratio and a low inertia constant, in which VSIs become susceptible to voltage distortions and instability. The proposed feedforward virtual inductance term is integrated into the current control loops of grid-tied VSIs. In this paper, the effectiveness of the virtual inductance control strategy in weak grids is first proved through closed-loop transfer function analysis and then the system's root locus analysis to determine the stability region of the system versus the grid impedance. The developed virtual inductance controller is also verified through laboratory experiments for different weak grid scenarios.