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Decentralised Consensus Control of Hybrid Synchronous Condenser and Grid-Forming Inverter Systems in Renewable-Dominated Low-Inertia Grids

Author

Listed:
  • Hamid Soleimani

    (School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Asma Aziz

    (School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • S M Muslem Uddin

    (CSIRO | Energy Systems 2, Newcastle, NSW 2304, Australia)

  • Mehrdad Ghahramani

    (School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

  • Daryoush Habibi

    (School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia)

Abstract

The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) has significantly altered the operational characteristics of modern power systems, resulting in reduced system inertia and fault current capacity. These developments introduce new challenges for maintaining frequency and voltage stability, particularly in low-inertia grids that are dominated by inverter-based resources (IBRs). This paper presents a hierarchical control framework that integrates synchronous condensers (SCs) and grid-forming (GFM) inverters through a leader–follower consensus control architecture to address these issues. In this approach, selected GFMs act as leaders to restore nominal voltage and frequency, while follower GFMs and SCs collaboratively share active and reactive power. The primary control employs droop-based regulation, and a distributed secondary layer enables proportional power sharing via peer-to-peer communication. A modified IEEE 14-bus test system is implemented in PSCAD to validate the proposed strategy under scenarios including load disturbances, reactive demand variations, and plug-and-play operations. Compared to conventional droop-based control, the proposed framework reduces frequency nadir by up to 0.3 Hz and voltage deviation by 1.1%, achieving optimised sharing indices. Results demonstrate that consensus-based coordination enhances dynamic stability and power-sharing fairness and supports the flexible integration of heterogeneous assets without requiring centralised control.

Suggested Citation

  • Hamid Soleimani & Asma Aziz & S M Muslem Uddin & Mehrdad Ghahramani & Daryoush Habibi, 2025. "Decentralised Consensus Control of Hybrid Synchronous Condenser and Grid-Forming Inverter Systems in Renewable-Dominated Low-Inertia Grids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-23, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:14:p:3593-:d:1696962
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hamid Soleimani & Daryoush Habibi & Mehrdad Ghahramani & Asma Aziz, 2024. "Strengthening Power Systems for Net Zero: A Review of the Role of Synchronous Condensers and Emerging Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-23, July.
    2. Liu, Wen & Lund, Henrik & Mathiesen, Brian Vad & Zhang, Xiliang, 2011. "Potential of renewable energy systems in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(2), pages 518-525, February.
    3. Connolly, D. & Lund, H. & Mathiesen, B.V. & Leahy, M., 2011. "The first step towards a 100% renewable energy-system for Ireland," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(2), pages 502-507, February.
    4. Arraño-Vargas, Felipe & Jiang, Shan & Bennett, Bruce & Konstantinou, Georgios, 2023. "Mitigation of power system oscillations in weak grids with battery energy storage systems: A real-world case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    5. Lund, Henrik, 2007. "Renewable energy strategies for sustainable development," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 912-919.
    6. Mathiesen, Brian Vad & Lund, Henrik & Karlsson, Kenneth, 2011. "100% Renewable energy systems, climate mitigation and economic growth," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(2), pages 488-501, February.
    7. Haiyang Liang & Yanbin Zhang & Shuran Liu & Jianling Wu & Jifeng Fan & Yi Zhang & Junjie Yu & Tianlong Zhang & Ziyi Zhu, 2025. "Modeling and Simulation on the Hybrid Solution of Static Var Generator and Synchronous Condenser for Unlocking Power Output Limitation of Wind Farms Integrated into Weak Grid," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-24, January.
    8. Cavus, Muhammed & Allahham, Adib & Adhikari, Kabita & Giaouris, Damian, 2024. "A hybrid method based on logic predictive controller for flexible hybrid microgrid with plug-and-play capabilities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
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