DOE OSTI · 3383102
Adaptation of virtual synchronous generators to dynamic conditions in power grids
Abstract
Virtual synchronous generators (VSGs) are widely adopted as grid-forming controls for inverter-based resources. However, when grid conditions vary significantly as characterized by changes in short-circuit ratio (SCR) and the reactance-to-resistance (X/R) ratio, fixed-gain designs and the commonly used P–Q decoupling assumption can become inaccurate. Such conditions can degrade transient power performance, leading to oscillations, prolonged settling, and overshoot, particularly in stiff-grid operating points. This paper quantifies how grid strength and impedance-dependent coupling affect the active–reactive power dynamics of a conventional VSG over a broad range of SCR and X/R values. An adaptive VSG tuning framework is then developed by combining (i) a coupling-explicit, impedance-parameterized state-space model to enable systematic controller synthesis, (ii) a full-state-feedback law designed via pole placement to meet prescribed damping and settling-time specifications, and (iii) a physics-informed neural network (PINN)–based online grid-impedance estimator that updates controller gains in real time as grid conditions vary. Offline simulations in MATLAB/Simulink and real-time validation on an OPAL-RT platform show that the proposed method preserves consistent damping and settling behavior with reduced overshoot across wide SCR and X/R ranges, compared with fixed-gain VSG baselines.
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Hoang, Quang Manh [University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI (United States)] (ORCID:0009000103489118), Hollweg, Guilherme Vieira [University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI (United States)], Vu, Thanh Long [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)], Kim, Taehyung [University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI (United States)] (ORCID:0000000311275977), Bui, Van-Hai [University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI (United States)] (ORCID:0009000245654780). 2026-12-01. Adaptation of virtual synchronous generators to dynamic conditions in power grids. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2026.113431
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