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Improved Fault Resilience of GFM-GFL Converters in Ultra-Weak Grids Using Active Disturbance Rejection Control and Virtual Inertia Control

Author

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  • Monigaa Nagaboopathy

    (Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, CEG Campus, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India)

  • Kumudini Devi Raguru Pandu

    (Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, CEG Campus, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India)

  • Ashmitha Selvaraj

    (Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, CEG Campus, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India)

  • Anbuselvi Shanmugam Velu

    (Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, CEG Campus, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India)

Abstract

Enhancing the resilience of renewable energy systems in ultra-weak grids is crucial for promoting sustainable energy adoption and ensuring a reliable power supply during disturbances. Ultra-weak grids characterized by a very low Short-Circuit Ratio, less than 2, and high grid impedance significantly impair voltage and frequency stability, imposing challenging conditions for Inverter-Based Resources. To address these challenges, this paper considers a 110 KVA, three-phase, two-level Voltage Source Converter, interfacing a 700 V DC link to a 415 V AC ultra-weak grid. X/R = 1 is controlled using Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation, where the Grid-Connected Converter operates in Grid-Forming Mode to maintain voltage and frequency stability under a steady state. During symmetrical and asymmetrical faults, the converter transitions to Grid-Following mode with current control to safely limit fault currents and protect the system integrity. After fault clearance, the system seamlessly reverts to Grid-Forming Mode to resume voltage regulation. This paper proposes an improved control strategy that integrates voltage feedforward reactive power support and virtual capacitor-based virtual inertia using Active Disturbance Rejection Control, a robust, model-independent controller, which rapidly rejects disturbances by regulating d and q-axes currents. To test the practicality of the proposed system, real-time implementation is carried out using the OPAL-RT OP4610 platform, and the results are experimentally validated. The results demonstrate improved fault current limitation and enhanced DC link voltage stability compared to a conventional PI controller, validating the system’s robust Fault Ride-Through performance under ultra-weak grid conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Monigaa Nagaboopathy & Kumudini Devi Raguru Pandu & Ashmitha Selvaraj & Anbuselvi Shanmugam Velu, 2025. "Improved Fault Resilience of GFM-GFL Converters in Ultra-Weak Grids Using Active Disturbance Rejection Control and Virtual Inertia Control," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-32, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:14:p:6619-:d:1705632
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bowen Zhou & Lei Meng & Dongsheng Yang & Zhanchao Ma & Guoyi Xu, 2019. "A Novel VSG-Based Accurate Voltage Control and Reactive Power Sharing Method for Islanded Microgrids," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-23, November.
    2. Dai Orihara & Hiroshi Kikusato & Jun Hashimoto & Kenji Otani & Takahiro Takamatsu & Takashi Oozeki & Hisao Taoka & Takahiro Matsuura & Satoshi Miyazaki & Hiromu Hamada & Kenjiro Mori, 2021. "Contribution of Voltage Support Function to Virtual Inertia Control Performance of Inverter-Based Resource in Frequency Stability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-16, July.
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