Grid-forming converter DC-link control considering the primary energy source

C. Paolis Robles, A. Tomás-Martín, I. Egido, A. García-Cerrada

Electric Power Systems Research Vol. 264, pp. 113887

Summary:

The gradual substitution of conventional synchronous generators by converter-interfaced renewable energy sources raises concerns about the reduction of conventional inertia in electric power systems and the ensuing threat to their stability. In this regard, grid-forming voltage source converters have been proposed as a key solution to address this challenge. Although a growing body of literature addresses DC-link voltage regulation in grid-forming converters, most existing approaches implicitly assume an ideal and unconstrained DC power source. As a result, the dynamic response and operational limits of the primary energy source, which can critically shape the available DC-side power during transients, are rarely modeled or explicitly accounted for in the design of the DC-link control. This paper demonstrates that incorporating these aspects at the design stage reduces the risk of converter disconnection from the power grid under sudden power imbalances, while enhancing system resilience. A systematic methodology based on a Genetic Algorithm is proposed to tune the control parameters. The performance of the proposed control is validated by simulation using a detailed electromagnetic transient model.

Spanish layman's summary:

Este artículo propone una metodología sistemática, basada en un algoritmo genético, para diseñar controles de tensión del lado DC que reducen el riesgo de desconexión de convertidores Grid-Forming teniendo en cuenta las dinámicas y límites de la fuente de energía primaria y del condensador DC.

English layman's summary:

This article presents a systematic genetic-algorithm-based methodology to design DC-side voltage controls that reduce the disconnection risk of grid-forming converters when the dynamics and limits of the primary energy source and DC capacitor are accounted for.

Keywords: Grid connectivity; Grid-forming; Primary energy source; DC-link; Genetic algorithm

JCR-JIF Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 4,300 - Q2 (2025)

DOI reference: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2026.113887

Published on paper: March 2027.

Published on-line: July 2026.

Citation:
C. Paolis Robles, A. Tomás-Martín, I. Egido, A. García-Cerrada, "Grid-forming converter DC-link control considering the primary energy source", Electric Power Systems Research, Vol. 264, pp. 113887, March 2027. [Online: July 2026] doi: 10.1016/j.epsr.2026.113887