Experimental validation of a novel inertia-less VSM algorithm

For years, grid phenomena such as voltage stability, loss of inertia, voltage dips, etc. have been managed by well established solutions. Such solutions include on load tap changing transformers, and synchronous generators. Now, the increased penetration of load and generation interfaced by converter based
systems has demanded changes in the way the grid is managed. If the aforementioned issues are not considered, local instability can lead to system-wide instability. One possible solution for the majority of these issues is to change the control logic of the converter, modifying it from the standard vectorial output current theory (DQCl control) to one where the traditional synchronous generator is emulated. These solutions are based within the so called Virtual Synchronous Machine or VSM algorithms. Among them, the so-called Virtual Synchronous Machine Zero Inertia (VSM0H) has been implemented in this paper. Due to its simplicity and efficacy, it has been chosen for experimental testing and analysis. The process to implement the VSM0H algorithm in the lab will be explained; with particular emphasis in the connection process since, with the VSM0H algorithm, the converter becomes a true voltage source, and this procedure can be particularly challenging. An explanation of the blocks added to provide this soft connection will be explained. Additionally, another experiment showing the behavior of the system against changes in the power references will be shown.