Active-power control strategies in grid-forming power converters to improve transient stability in power systems with 100% converter-based generation

R. Ávila-Martínez, L. Rouco, J. Renedo, L. Sigrist, A. García-Cerrada

Summary:

Grid-forming voltage source converters (GFMVSCs) are among the technologies that play a crucial role in supporting system dynamics. In systems with a high proportion of GFM-VSC-based generation, transient stability becomes a critical limiting factor for stressed power systems. Previous studies have proposed control strategies for GFM-VSCs to improve the transient stability of such systems. These approaches typically rely on suitable current-limiting algorithms, voltage/reactivepower and active-power supplementary control strategies. This paper investigates and compares the effectiveness of three activepower supplementary control strategies to enhance transient stability in multi-converter systems: (i) a wide-area control strategy (TSP-WACS) using the centre of inertia (COI) frequency, (ii) a local transient damping method (TSP-TDM), and (iii) a novel local control strategy (TSP-L) proposed in this work. All strategies were implemented and assessed using short-circuit simulations on Kundur’s two-area test system with 100% GFM-VSC generators, demonstrating CCT improvement. The TSP-WACS achieves the best performance but requires a communication infrastructure, while TSP-L offers a simple, robust alternative using only local measurements.

Spanish layman's summary:

Este estudio desarrolla y compara tres estrategias de control de potencia activa para sistemas eléctricos basados en GFM-VSC. El control TSP-L propuesto mejora la estabilidad ante faltas, ofreciendo una alternativa sencilla y robusta sin necesidad de sistemas de comunicaciones.

English layman's summary:

This study develops and compares three active-power control strategies for GFM-VSC-based power systems. The proposed TSP-L controller enhances stability during faults, offering a simple and reliable alternative without need any communication system.

Keywords: Voltage source converter, VSC, grid forming, transient stability, Active-Powe control.

Registration date: 22-oct-2025