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Inertia emulation control schemes for voltage source converter-dominated grids: A review

Author

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  • Deng, Zhaoshun
  • Yu, Lujie
  • Zhu, Jiebei
  • Shen, Zhipeng
  • Hu, Yifan
  • Milano, Federico

Abstract

The utilization of voltage source converters (VSCs) in modern power grids has been increasing dramatically along with the rapid developments of renewable power generations and VSC-based high-voltage DC (VSC-HVDC) transmission systems, leading to overall reduced synchronous generator (SG) inertia and elevating the risk of large-scale power blackouts. Enabling VSCs to mimic SG inertial response has become a critical approach for the stable operation of VSC-dominated power grids. This paper presents a comprehensive review of VSC inertia emulation control (INEC) schemes. The grid low-inertia challenges and technological demands for INEC are first analyzed. Then, the existing VSC INEC algorithms are divided into four categories based on synchronization methods and control objectives, with their control principles elaborated. Frequency- and time-domain analyses reveal that while grid-following-based INECs offer simple implementation, they are prone to instability in weak grids. Conversely, grid-forming-based INECs exhibit superior performances in weak grids, but may be subject to power oscillation problems in stiff grids. Moreover, typical energy sources for INEC, including rotor kinetic energy of wind turbine generators, energy storage systems and VSC-HVDC interconnections, are comprehensively investigated. Techno-economic analyses identify supercapacitors as an attractive option due to their rapid response speed, high power density and long lifetime, despite comparatively high capital costs. Finally, several emerging issues and suggested future works related to VSC INEC are discussed. Importantly, it concludes that overcoming current implementation barriers of INEC technologies requires optimally selecting and sizing energy sources, optimizing dynamic performances, and establishing uniform technical specifications and mature market mechanisms to promote INEC transition from a theoretical concept to one of standardized ancillary services.

Suggested Citation

  • Deng, Zhaoshun & Yu, Lujie & Zhu, Jiebei & Shen, Zhipeng & Hu, Yifan & Milano, Federico, 2026. "Inertia emulation control schemes for voltage source converter-dominated grids: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:230:y:2026:i:c:s1364032126000067
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2026.116707
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    References listed on IDEAS

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